What losing Hilliard means

The impact of losing Desmine Hilliard (potential season-ending wrist injury) to the offensive line will be mainly from an experience standpoint. Out of the three guards rotating, Hilliard was the only one returning from the 2013 line as Blake Muir was sitting out due to transferring from Hawaii and Broxton was still at Lackawanna (PA) College.


Besides that, the biggest question marks will be if Broxton will be able to handle playing a full game, and the pressures of being a starter full time. I predict there won't be too much drop off as Broxton has received quality reps throughout the season. Those reps will have helped him build chemistry with center Kyle Fuller and right guard Troy Baker, so there won't be much confusion on the right side of the line.


When looking at someone to back those guards up, it seems to be LaQuan McGowan. Muir beat him out for the left guard spot during fall camp, but he's still been getting reps in the goal line formation so far this season. It will be interesting to see if the offensive staff continues the rotation trend and works McGowan in during the game, or if they switch to keeping Broxton and Muir in full time now.

-Nick Jean-Baptiste




2016 update

We figured this would be a good time to check in with the five 2016 Baylor commitments and their productivity as we begin the homestretch of the 2014 regular season. So let's get you caught up


>Tren'Davian Dickson, WR, Navasota - 8-329 41.2 ypc 7 TD.

Comment: the numbers may not jump out overall. However, Navasota, the No. 1 team in the Class 4A state poll, has been blowing everybody out. Dickson's work has been limited. But it isn't bad when seven of your eight receptions are for touchdowns.


>Patrick Hudson, OL, Silsbee - Grading about 87 percent.

Comment: Last we heard a couple of weeks ago was that he was pretty much dominating whoever lined up opposite of him. We've also heard he's beyond double digits in pancake blocks.


>Kameron Martin, RB, Port Arthur Memorial - Receiving: 201 yards; Rushing 564 yards, 13 TDs

Comment: Martin is sharing the carries with Corey Dauphine so his numbers will be impacted. Still, he's probably going to still get his share.


>Zach Smith, QB, Grandview - 2,343 yards (67.7 percent), 26 TDs, 2 INT

Comment: You can't argue with the production. Smith has been accurate and leading a very prolific offense. He's dominating the competition. Unfortunately, his team is in trouble. The Zebras are 0-3 in district play and have to climb out of a hole in order to make the playoffs.


>Keshawn Somerville, DB, Pflugerville Hendrickson - 6 PBU, 30+ tackles

Comment: It's been a mixed bag for Somerville. He's played both defensive back and safety for the Hawks. But when he is at DB, he's been playing a lot of press coverage. Somerville does not have an interception as of yet.

-Kevin Lonnquist



Finding a position

When Trophy Club Byron Nelson's Brandon Bowen came to Baylor last week with teammate Kellen Diesch to check out Baylor for the first time, he just had to take it all in because the afternoon went so fast.


The 2016 defensive end/wide receiver (6-6, 225) picked up his conversations with Baylor within the last several weeks. Baylor hasn't offered, but it's a given the coaching staff is really watching him. TCU and Michigan are also keeping tabs on him.


"They're a great team and a great program,'' Bowen said. "I think I could fit with Baylor if it worked out. My mom works at DFW airport and would like to play close to home.''


Bowen didn't go through the summer camp circuit so he may not be as well known. But word is spreading. With his size, he said Baylor and TCU are recruiting him as a wide receiver. Michigan likes him as an athlete.


"Baylor [coach Jeff Lebby] said they see me as a big target and that it would be hard to take me down,'' Bowen said. "I always try to make something out of nothing. I always try to push myself. I love to catch the ball and make a good play.''


By splitting time, the Nelson coaching staff has had to find a way to pick its spots with Bowen. He has eight receptions for 98 yards this year. This is his first year at Nelson after moving from Carrollton Newman Smith.

-Kevin Lonnquist




Basketball recruiting notes

>As we mentioned, 3-star guard Wendell Mitchell from Rockdale is going to take his official visit Nov. 1 for Homecoming. It may not be fair to call Mitchell a plan B to Dallas Madison guard Admon Gilder who committed to Texas A&M Thursday. But up until a few days ago, Mitchell had not finalized his visit plans to Baylor.


Both Mitchell and Gilder are built the same (6-3, 180) and both are shooting guards. Mitchell is no stranger to the Baylor campus. He's been there several times.


>We noted that Memphis 3-star guard LeGerald Vick will get an in-home visit from Baylor. At one point, we were told that would be head coach Scott Drew. Several schools are jumping on Vick including Baylor, SMU, Indiana, Georgia Tech and Auburn.


>Gerald Hamilton, the handler for Cordova, TN center Skal Labissiere told Jake Shaw they are not doing any interviews regarding Labissiere's recruiting. There is no known commitment announcement date for Labissiere. The Rivals No. 4 recruit took his fifth and final official visit to Baylor last week.

-Kevin Lonnquist




A guilt complex

When he was a guest of Texas for the Baylor game on Oct. 4 in Austin, Kyle Porter admitted he felt a little guilty.


He said he paid a little more attention to watching the Bears running game than Texas'. Katy's 2016 running back (5-11, 194, 4.42) has offers from both as well as Illinois, Maryland, Tennessee, TCU and California.


"It was weird,'' Porter said. "I was on the [Texas] sideline and I might as well have been on the Baylor side. I really liked watching Shock Linwood. He just runs hard. He breaks tackles. He has really good vision.


"I really like watching Baylor's offense because they mix it up so well. They do a great job with their read option.''


Porter hasn't been to Baylor since Katy's state semifinal game against Cibolo Steele in 2012 when he was a freshman. But he's had plenty of contact with Baylor wide receivers coach Kendal Briles.


Running behind Oklahoma commit Rodney Anderson, Porter has rushed for 437 yards and eight touchdowns (6.8 ypc). When asked what he thought his running style was, Porter was stumped.


"I just go out and run,'' he said. "I wouldn't say I'm elusive or will run through you. I just kind of do a little of everything. I have to do what I have to do to get yards.''


And when he's not in the backfield, he's been slotting out at wide receiver. He's caught five passes for 58 yards. It's probably too early to say where Baylor wants this relationship to go. But it could be as an athlete.


"I have no problem playing wide receiver,'' Porter said. "I just like catching the ball. I really don't know what Baylor thinks. If they look at me as an athlete, it wouldn't bother me. I like watching them. I turn over and watch them on TV every chance I get.''


Porter is originally from the greater Baton Rouge area. His family moved to Katy because of his father's job transfer.

-Kevin Lonnquist




Big 12 Power Rankings

Each week, SicEmSports ranks the Big 12 teams based on expectations and performance. Ratings always vary. Agree or disagree, there's nothing like finding out who is ranked where.

1. Baylor - RB Shock Linwood enjoying the extended workload

2. TCU - The elephant in the room: This team can't run the ball

3. Oklahoma - Sooner passing game is collapsing in front of Bob Stoops' eyes

4. Kansas State - Wildcats have the Big 12's top rushing defense (81.4 ypg)

5. Oklahoma State - Young Cowboys make first trip to Fort Worth

6. West Virginia - WR Kevin White is crazy good 61-888 5 TD

7. Texas - Did QB Tryone Swoopes (334 yards, 2 TD vs. OU) turn a corner?

8. Texas Tech - Just a very sloppy and undisciplined team

9. Iowa State - QB Sam Richardson looking for big-time performance in Austin

10. Kansas - With RB Tony Pierson now at RB, the wide receiver options get interesting

-Kevin Lonnquist



Big 12 Weekend

A look at Saturday's action. All times are central. All 10 teams are in action.


No. 4/4 Baylor (6-0, 3-0) at West Virginia (4-2, 2-1)

11:00 a.m. Milan-Puskar Stadium, Morgantown WVA (FOX Sports 1)

The skinny: Two of the Big 12's most explosive and balance offenses get together. It's fair to say that first one to 70 wins. The winner of previous two meetings has hit that point total. The Bears' defense didn't force a turnover last week against TCU. West Virginia is tied with Texas Tech for last in the Big 12 in turnover ratio at -8.




No. 14/14 Kansas State (4-1, 2-0) at No. 11/11 Oklahoma (5-1, 2-1)

11:00 a.m. Gaylord Memorial Stadium, Norman, OK (ESPN)

The skinny: The Sooners really need to get it together offensively. QB Trevor Knight seems rattled. And the status of several injured players including RB Keith Ford remains in question. Kansas State has been pretty efficient running its offense. The Wildcats are third in the league in scoring offense at 40.8 ppg.


Kansas (2-4, 0-3) at Texas Tech (2-4, 0-3)

2:30 p.m. AT&T Jones Stadium, Lubbock (FOX Sports Net)

The skinny: Somebody is picking up its first conference win. Tech desperately needs this to stop a four-game slide and keep postseason bowl hopes alive. QB Davis Webb leads the Big 12 with 11 interceptions. The Red Raiders have committed more turnovers (14) than any other team in the conference. Kansas appears to have chosen Michael Cummins as its starting quarterback.


No. 15/15 Oklahoma State (5-1, 3-0) at No. 12/12 TCU (4-1, 1-1)

3:00 p.m. Amon Carter Stadium, Fort Worth (FOX Sports 1)

The skinny: Prior to the Baylor game, TCU had surrendered 54 points in its first three games. So now it's time to start anew. The question is whether the Horned Frogs can get their running game going. While the Horned Frogs are at 184.8 ypg, QB Trevone Boykin is their leading rusher (305 yards). The Cowboys have a great weapon in Tyreek Hill. The junior college transfer has 977 all-purpose yards between rushing, receiving, punt returns and kick returns.


Iowa State (2-4, 0-3) at Texas (2-4, 1-2)

7:00 p.m. Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium, Austin (LHN)

The skinny: These are two of the worst scoring offenses in the Big 12. Iowa State is eighth at 24.5 ppg. Texas is ninth at 19.7. But the Texas offense has a chance to gain some success because the Cyclones are ninth in the Big 12 in total defense surrendering more than 446 yards per game. Statistically, QB Tryone Swoopes is having a decent season. He's completed nearly 60 percent of his passes for 1,098 yards with seven TDs. It does not look like the Texas coaching staff wants to remove the redshirt of QB Jerrod Heard.

-SicEmSports




Emptying the notebook

>Although he went to Baylor's game last week against TCU, the Baylor coaching staff did not offer Waco Midway linebacker Lenoy Jones. We'll see if that changes over time.


>Dallas Bishop Dunne DT Darrion Daniels apparently has an official visit lined up for Baylor, according to head coach Michael Johnson. However, a date is not clear, Johnson said. With the size of the 2015 class revolving in numbers - don't be surprised if it swells to near 20 - there could be room for a defensive tackle.


>It may never get anywhere, but one other linebacker that could be under consideration is Lewisville Hebron's Angelo Garbutt. The 2-star 6-2, 210 recruit is committed to Oregon State. We last wrote about him on June 7 when he drove out to the Baylor satellite camp in Marshall.


>Nothing official, but everything continues to trend toward Baylor and Texas Tech extending their series at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. The two-year agreement would technically end after the Nov. 29 meeting.


>On Thursday, Baylor's baseball program released its 52-game 2015 schedule. The Bears open on Feb. 13 with an eight-game home stand. It starts with Cal Poly, followed by Dallas Baptist, Kent State and then Northwestern State. Baylor travels to Cal-State Fullerton Feb. 27-March 1. The Bears will be involved in the Houston College Classic March 6-8 at Minute Maid Park against Hawaii, LSU and Texas A&M. Big 12 play begins March 13 at TCU. Baylor plays host to Texas in the final regular season weekend May 16-17 at Baylor Ballpark. The Big 12 tournament is May 20-24 in Tulsa. The tournament is moving from Oklahoma City.

-Kevin Lonnquist

NOTE: Big basketball weekend

Baylor is expected to have a impactful basketball recruiting visit this weekend. For starters, 3-star guard Jake Lindsey from Salt Lake Olympus is taking his official visit. A report broke late Thursday that Cordova, TN 5-star center 2015 Skal Labissiere, the No. 4 player in the Rivals 2015 150 will take his official visit this weekend.



Prime Prep 2016 commit Mark Vital and his family are also expected to arrive as well. Plus, 2015 guard commit King McClure is also expected to arrive. Lindsey and McClure -- who took his official visit over Labor Day weekend -- are expected to sign the national letters of intent on Nov. 12 along with JUCO center commit Joseph Acuil.



"Actually, I'm getting excited about coming down and getting to know the guys and see the atmosphere,'' Lindsey said. "I was on my unofficial between the summer and fall so nobody was on campus.''



Since Baylor started workouts on Oct. 3, recruits can see them go through organized workouts. Lindsey (6-5) said he's talked at length with the Bears coaching staff about what the expectations will be. He's concentrating on his pull up jumper off the dribble. He's also doing things to help his foot speed.



"I've always been fairly quick, but everybody used to look at me as a wing who could get to the rim,'' Lindsey said. "But I've learned to make adjustments and understand that magnitude of what I'm about to do.''



Lindsey will be coming with his mother and his brother. His father Dennis, a former Baylor star back in 1980s, cannot attend this weekend because of another matter.



For Labassiere, he has already taken official visits to North Carolina, Kentucky, Georgetown and Tennessee. There is no known timetable for his decision. But credit Baylor for staying in this race and securing the last official visit.

-Kevin Lonnquist




Baylor-TCU visitors

Just wanted to have this list in the Blitz for the sake of record keeping since we archive the Blitz. We did not add those who were not coming for obvious reasons.


Those who said they are coming

Dominic Desousa, OL, City College of San Francisco (2015; Baylor offer -- official visit)
Eno Benjamin, RB, Wylie East (2017 -Baylor interest)
Tony Nicholson, SGP, SGP (2015 - Baylor commit)
Parrish Cobb, DB, Waco La Vega (2016 -- Baylor interest)
Eric Cuffee, DB, Waco (2016 - Baylor interest)
Obi Eboh, S, SL Carroll (2016 - Baylor interest)
Chad President, QB, Temple (2015 - Baylor commit)
Blake Lynch, Ath, Gilmer (2015 - Baylor commit)
Zach Smith, QB, Grandview (2016 - Baylor commit)
Josh Drayden, DB, Dallas Bishop Dunne (2016 -- Baylor interest)
Clay Johnston, LB, Abilene Wylie (2015 -- Baylor commit)
Deonte Williams, LB, Plano Prestonwood (2016 -- Baylor offer)
Jaylon Jones, DB, Allen (2016 -- Baylor offer)
Sam Tecklenburg, TE/OL, Plano (2015 -- Baylor commit)
JaMycal Hasty, RB, Longview (2015 -- Baylor commit)
Jameson Houston, RB, Austin St. Michael's (2015 -- Baylor commit)
Keshawn Somerville, DB, Plugerville Hendrickson (2016 -- Baylor commit)
Drew Galitz, P/PK, Rowlett (2015 -- Baylor commit)
Devontre Stricklin, WR, Waco Midway (2015 -- Baylor commit)
Lenoy Jones, LB, Waco Midway (2015 -- Baylor interest/Houston commit)
Baron Browning, LB, Kennedale (2017 -- Baylor offer)
Jeffrey Okudah, Ath/DB, South Grand Prairie (2017-Baylor interest)


The maybes
D'Eriq King, Ath, Manvel (2016 -- Baylor offer)
Montrel Wilson, S, Keller Fossil Ridge (2015 - Baylor commit)
Patrick Hudson, OL, Silsbee (2016 - Baylor commit)
Jaylon Jackson, Ath, Cedar Hill (2017 -- Baylor interest)

Jaelan Austin, WR, South Grand Prairie (2015-Baylor offer/TCU commit)


Note I: We'll see what this potential Jaelan Austin visit is all about. Baylor is likely taking one WR. Austin is committed to TCU so either there is interest between the two sides or Austin wants to see TCU play.


Note II: Cobb was scheduled to send his films to the Baylor coaching staff this week for their review. Remember, Cobb was coming off a hamstring injury in 2013.




Lynch: Baylor wants met at WR

Gilmer athlete and Rivals No. 194 prospect Blake Lynch embraced the overwhelming but joyful news that he was invited to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Thursday. He said the honor caught him by surprise.



"The invite only validated what I've been able to do,'' Lynch said. "I'm excited to play against the best prospects in the country.''



It will be a busy January for Lynch. He will play in the game on Jan. 3 and then report to Baylor for the second semester around Jan. 10. The spring semester begins on Jan. 12.



And for now, it looks like he'll be playing wide receiver. That's based on a recent conversation he had with Baylor head coach Art Briles.



"[Art Briles] just told me that they'd like me there because I would be a big target and I can use my athleticism,'' Lynch said. "I love the Baylor coaching staff. I could tell when I watched them in the spring and summer they weren't satisfied with anything. They won the Big 12 championship and went back to work.''



You can check out Lynch's numbers in the current Player Performance Chart that is pushpinned. He's playing wide receiver for the first time in his career and moved to corner back during the season.



"I think my hands are pretty good at receiver,'' Lynch said. "But the route running has been a challenge. But it's all been pretty fun to move around because teams can't key on me.''



Baylor 2014 signees WR KD Cannon and Davion Hall were in this game this past January.

-Kevin Lonnquist




East Texas DT monitoring Baylor

Braylon Jones watched Baylor in person last week. And even though he was a guest of the other team, he couldn't help but notice Baylor's stout defensive line.


"They were nice -- that D-line, though, it was a great one," the 2016 John Tyler DT said.


The only problem, though, is that Baylor hasn't shown a ton of interest yet, while Texas, he said, sends him letters consistently. He has offers from Navy and Air Force right now, and aside from Texas, both Oregon and Arkansas have been in steady contact. Arkansas invited him to this weekend's game, but he can't make it.


Baylor's lack of attention hasn't scared him off at all.


"I would be very interested," Jones said. "I see them on the rise. I really like Art Briles. He's doing a great job and I know I'd like to play for him if the opportunity came up."


As the East Texas defensive newcomer of the year in 2013 as a sophomore, and with a strong start to his junior season (23 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 QBH), there's a chance Baylor will eventually make the call. And you can expect Jones to be waiting by his phone.

-Jake Shaw



LB watch

With Austin Westlake Breckyn Hager's switch from Baylor to Texas on Sept. 24, that created an opening.



In a piece on Sept. 25, one of the targets we speculated that could be in the mix is apparently now in the mix: Waco Midway's Lenoy Jones (5-11, 217). Jones, who is committed to Houston, is expected to attend Saturday's game against TCU. And Baylor has developed quite the pipeline to Midway as it already has secured the commitment of wide receiver Devontre Stricklin and still trying to land safety Kahlil Haughton. Baylor has not offered Jones, but he has been to the Baylor campus several times so the staff is quite familiar with him. Arkansas is very interested in him.



"He's been having a great season at inside backer and been a wrecking shop,'' one observer said. "Plus, his speed is getting better. He's probably running in the low 4.5s.''



Jones consistently is all over the field the Panther defense averaging double figures in tackles. He had 12 tackles two tackles for loss and two QB pressures against Killeen Harker Heights.



We'll keep you posted how this develops.

-Kevin Lonnquist



Browning mulling it over

Kennedale 2017 linebacker Baron Browning, who was offered at the Baylor satellite camp at Lake Highlands on June 6, plans to attend Baylor's game with TCU Saturday.

He had an interesting discussion with Baylor linebackers coach Jim Gush. It's clear that Baylor is making the push. Browning said he isn't planning on committing anytime soon. However, Baylor has gained favor because Browning decided to go to Waco instead of driving up to Fayetteville, AR to watch Arkansas take on Alabama.



"Baylor's love for me is really great, and I'm taking it all into consideration,'' Browning said. "But right now, I'm keeping all of my options open.''



Browning is nursing shoulder and ankle injuries. He said he's out for the season. Kennedale (5-0) is No. 4 in the state Class 4A poll.

-Kevin Lonnquist




Big 12 Power Rankings

Each week, SicEmSports ranks the Big 12 teams based on expectations and performance. Ratings always vary. Agree or disagree, there's nothing like finding out who is ranked where.

1. Baylor - Bears have options despite losing DE Jamal Palmer (ACL)

2. TCU - QB Trevone Boykin's maturity has been one of the bigger stories in 2014

3. Oklahoma - Completing passes at 54 percent won't cut it for QB Trevor Knight

4. Kansas State - Program has committed only 20 penalties through the first five games

5. Oklahoma State - Jr. QB Daxx Garman is third in the Big 12 in passing yards (1,200)

6. West Virginia - A road win in Lubbock really could set up the rest of the season

7. Texas - Longhorns for second consecutive upset of the Sooners in Red River Rivalry

8. Texas Tech - In the past three games, 10 turnovers and 30 penalties

9. Iowa State - Sr. LB Jevohn Miller leads the Big 12 with 55 tackles

10. Kansas - Every position is open, interim coach Clint Bowen states

-Kevin Lonnquist




Big 12 Weekend

A look at Saturday's action. All times are central. Kansas State has a bye.


Texas (2-3, 1-1) vs. No. 9/11 Oklahoma (4-1, 1-1)

11:00 a.m. Cotton Bowl, Dallas (ABC)

The skinny: The 109th meeting in Red River Showdown. Texas leads 60-43-5. Both teams are coming into this game off of losses. The Longhorns are struggling to find any semblance of offense. Texas has not scored more than 35 points in a game all season. Oklahoma needs a bounce back after the stunning 37-33 loss at TCU. But WR Sterling Shepard is having a big season with 30 receptions for 651 yards.


West Virginia (3-2, 1-1) at Texas Tech (2-3, 0-2)

11:00 a.m. AT&T Jones Stadium, Lubbock (FOX Sports 1)

The skinny: A critical game for the Red Raiders who are on a three-game losing streak and have allowed at least 45 points in each game. QB Davis Webb is on thin ice throwing four interceptions at Kansas State last week. This is also a big road test for the Mountaineers who have earned high praise but need to find a way to win a game where it's considered a tossup.


Toledo (4-2, 2-0) at Iowa State (1-4, 0-2)

2:30 p.m. Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA (Cyclones TV)

The skinny: This is the third meeting between the Rockets and the Cyclones. QB Logan has come on in relief over the last four weeks and thrown for more than 1,000 yards. The Rockets' two losses have come against Missouri and Cincinnati - teams with better talent than the Cyclones. Iowa State struggles to score and must have big game from QB Sam Richardson and get its running game in going.


No. 9/13 TCU (4-0, 1-0) at No. 3/5 Baylor (5-0, 2-0)

2:30 p.m. McLane Stadium, Waco (ABC)

The skinny: This is the 110th meeting between these two teams with the series stunningly deadlocked, 51-51-7. Could this be a defensive battle? Baylor and TCU are Nos. 1 and 2 in total defense with Baylor at 267.2 and TCU at 279.2. They are also first and second in scoring defense with Baylor at 12.4 and TCU at 13.5. They are also Nos. 2 and 3 in turnover ratio. TCU is plus-5. Baylor is plus-4.


No. 16/18 Oklahoma State (4-1, 2-0) at Kansas (2-3, 0-2)

3:00 p.m. Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, KS (FOX Sports 1)

The skinny: The Cowboys begin a two-game road trip (next week they're at TCU). Mike Gundy is still not happy about where his running game and needs that to develop some consistency. Kansas' offense is in total disarray and there's not much hope that it's going to find a quality quarterback to guide it.
-SicEmSports



Emptying the Notebook - Baylor TCU numbers

>Baylor carries a 12-game home winning streak into Saturday's game. That's tied for second longest in the nation with Alabama and behind and Auburn and Northern Illinois who each are at 13.


>Baylor is 21-1 in Waco since 2011. The only loss? The 49-21 setback to TCU in 2012.


>TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin is 23-31 for 282 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions against the Bears. He was 22-30 for 261 yards and four touchdowns in the win at Floyd Casey Stadium in 2012. He threw a 21-yard touchdown pass in his only attempt in the 2013 meeting.


>After catching 19 passes for 294 yards (9-136 2 TD at Buffalo on Sept. 13), junior wide receiver Jay Lee has not caught a pass in the last two games.


>Baylor head coach is 2-4 lifetime against TCU but 2-2 since he has been at Baylor. TCU coach Gary Patterson is 4-2 lifetime against Baylor.

-SicEmSports

Baylor-Texas…notable numbers


Just a couple of quick notes as Jake will have his preview coming up.

>The Bears are going for four of five against the Longhorns and their second win in the last three tries in Austin. Baylor clinched the 2013 Big 12 championship with a 30-10 win over Texas in Waco last December.

>Baylor's offensive line hasn't allowed a sack this year. It's one of two program which have not allowed a sack.

>Texas has the worst 3rd-down conversion rate of anyone in the Big 12 at 31.1 percent.

>Texas is plus-4 in the turnover ratio and has created 11 takeaways (2 fumbles, 9 interceptions). Baylor is plus-1.

>Despite featuring two of the conference's top running backs in Johnathan Gray and Malcolm Brown, Texas is 9th in the Big 12 in rushing yards per game at 120.5.

>Despite its criticisms about its running game, Baylor leads the conference in rushing yards per game at 239.8.

>Baylor has converted 10-of-11 on 4th down attempts; Texas is 4-of-7.

-SicEmSports.




Monroe update

Galena Park North Shore 2016 safety Eric Monroe (6-0, 180) is one of the jewels of the Rivals 2016 class. He's ranked No. 21 in the Rivals 100 and is the nation's top-rated safety.

Monroe said he has been talking to Baylor recently but isn't one for words. He's said he's still evaluating everything with all of the schools that have offered him. Baylor is one of them. The Bears offered him over the summer.

Oklahoma was one of the most recent to offer him. As you would expect, he has big names on his list including Texas A&M, LSU, Michigan State, Ohio State, Texas and Notre Dame.

The Bears' coaching staff has invited him to the Oct. 11 game against TCU at McLane Stadium.

Monroe returned to the North Shore lineup this year after he dealt with a torn meniscus Monroe has said that he probably will not make any kind of commitment decision until he is into his senior year. And even then he'll want to take some official visits. North Shore is 2-3 and is enjoying its bye this week.

-Kevin Lonnquist




A rising OL

Justin Northwest Darrell Simpson is just one of those big young men who is just beginning to understand how good he can be.

The Texans' 2018 starting right tackle - yes, he's a freshman - is a mountain at 6-6, 280. He's also light on his feet. He's played basketball for a good portion of his young athletic life.

"His feet are excellent and the basketball has something to do with that,'' Northwest coach Bill Poe said. "People are going to find out about him pretty quickly.''

Simpson is also in the early stages of learning how to play on the offensive line. All he's lacking right now is experience. But that will come pretty soon.

"Darrell's just learning to play the position,'' Poe said. "But we have a lot of faith in him. That's why he's with the varsity. He's doing very well. It should be exciting to see recruiters take a look at him after the season.''


Expect Simpson to be invited to a lot of camps in the summer of 2015.

-Kevin Lonnquist




Bears eye Nicholson at CB
Yes, it happened on Sept. 21, but we were finally able to get an interview with South Grand Prairie ATH Tony Nicholson, who committed to the Bears after originally picking Arizona State in April. Naturally, when a player de-commits, there's going to be some skepticism about the strength of his commitment.

If another program were to call and ask him about switching yet again?

"I'd just let them know that I'm done and explain why I de-committed and committed again," he told me. "It really doesn't make a difference to me if someone says I committed twice. I know that Baylor is where I'm going to be the next four years."

Part of the reason he expects this commitment to stick: his mom's now happy, too. And you know the saying about momma being happy.

"She was just blown away when I told her I was reconsidering going to Baylor," he said. "She's just happy to know she can go to every game. When she went down there she actually met every coach, and she was talking to them all day and loved them."

While his coach at South Grand Prairie credited Jeff Lebby for sticking with Nicholson despite his pledge to ASU, Nicholson said DBs coach Carlton Buckels was just as critical.

"It was really coach Buckels," he said. "Lebby was there too, but every other day I'd talk to (Buckels), and he'd ask how I was doing. At first it was annoying, because I was committed, but as time went by, I got to notice his true colors and knew he cared about me. He really thought that I was one of the best DBs in the country. I still talk to him every day. Our relationship is still growing."

That's good, because Baylor wants Nicholson -- a quarterback up until this season -- to play on defense (as well as factor in the return game). Nicholson debuted at cornerback in the third game of his season. It's definitely growing on him.

"It felt good," he said. "I loved it. I think I did good, but I haven't played it but a minute so I know I can learn more things and get better."

-Jake Shaw




Moving parts

It's not that you want to follow Kahlil Haughton's every move because that can be annoying. But given Baylor's heavy interest in the Waco Midway 2015 safety, you have to follow through.

At this time, next weekend's (Oct. 11) scheduled official visit to Arkansas is a little up in the air because of….if you can believe it…TV.

Arkansas' game with Alabama doesn't have a time nor does it have a network assignment. If this game is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. (unlikely) or 2:30 p.m. (stronger possibility), then it's going to be tough for Haughton to try and get there because of his Saturday morning duties with the Midway program. If the game is moved to a night time spot, then he can make it.

Haughton probably won't know anything for sure until early this week. For now, Haughton is looking at taking his official visit to Baylor on Nov. 22 but that could change depending on what happens.

However, it may not be down to just Baylor, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Arkansas and Texas Tech. Notre Dame and TCU have been in contact, but it appears the Irish have his interest more than the Horned Frogs. We're hearing the Irish would like for Haughton to visit. But it's still early to know where that is going.

-Kevin Lonnquist




Baylor will follow with Vick

Last week, Baylor assistant Jerome Tang did an in home visit with Memphis Douglass 3-star guard LaGerald Vick.

A source with some familiarity to the situation said that Baylor did not offer Vick but came away very interested. There seems to be the thinking that Baylor head coach Scott Drew could return to Memphis in the next couple of week for his own in home visit. Should that happen, that's the time when Baylor could possibly extend an offer.

However, Baylor is in play for several guards similar in size to Vick (6-5, 175). Rockdale's Wendell Mitchell (6-4, 170) said he has not scheduled his visit to Baylor but said he's close. It won't be next week when the football team returns home to play TCU.

What may be holding some of this up is Dallas Madison guard Admon Gilder. Gilder is on an official visit to Texas this weekend and Texas A&M next weekend. He said he would announce his decision on Oct. 15.

-Kevin Lonnquist




Basketball preseason workouts advance

Quietly, work for the 2014-15 men's basketball season begins on Friday. The Bears are coming off a 26-12 2013-14 campaign that culminated in them playing in the Sweet 16. Remember, the Bears made a huge surge toward the end of the season and played in the Big 12 tournament championship game.

Of course, Baylor lost its two front court factors in Cory Jefferson and Isaiah Austin. But here are several things to look for in camp as the season begins Nov. 14 against McNeese State at the Ferrell Center.

>Who makes up for Jefferson and Austin? There has been a lot of encouraging chatter on the work redshirt freshman forward Johnathan Motley had during the offseason and summer. He could be counted on to provide some scoring punch.

>JUCO transfer forward Deng Deng is expected to add some instant production in the post after signing in the spring.

>Sophomore G/F Ishmail Wainwright must work to become more of an offensive presence for this team.

>Redshirt freshman guard Allerik Freeman didn't play last year because of a hand injury. It should be interesting to see what he does to help senior point guard Kenny Chery.

>Time will tell how or if any of those from the 2014 signing class - Terry Maston, Damiyne Durham and Lester Medford - can contribute.

>Baylor is still trying to learn if guard Kobie Eubanks, who was declared ineligible by the NCAA two weeks ago but is at a school in Florida, will be able to come to Baylor in January for the spring semester.

-Kevin Lonnquist




Big 12 Power Rankings

Each week, SicEmSports ranks the Big 12 teams based on expectations and performance. Ratings always vary. Agree or disagree, there's nothing like finding out who is ranked where.


1. Baylor - WR Corey Coleman (12-154 at Iowa State) will be huge this year

2. Oklahoma - Sooners have to make plays vs. TCU stingy defense

3. Kansas State - QB Jake Waters is the team's second leading rusher

4. Oklahoma State - Gundy says this team can't have an off night and still win

5. TCU - Horned Frogs have allowed only seven points in the last eight quarters

6. West Virginia - WR Kevin White averaging 10.5 receptions per game

7. Texas - DB Quandre Diggs and the secondary face big test against Baylor

8. Texas Tech - Saturday in Manhattan, KS. could mean the season for the Red Raiders

9. Iowa State - Paul Rhoads dealing with a depleted roster

10. Kansas - Charlie Weis fired in a season that was going to be ugly anyway

-Kevin Lonnquist


Big 12 Weekend

A look at Saturday's action. All times are central. All 10 teams are in action in the first full weekend of league action.


Iowa State (1-3, 0-2) at No. 21/23 Oklahoma State (3-1, 1-0)

11:00 a.m. Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK (FOX Sports 1)

The skinny: The Cowboys are 13-2 in their last 15 games against Big 12 opponents at Boone Pickens. QB Daxx Garman has picked up the offense quickly throwing for more than 900 yards. Iowa State is struggling everywhere. The Cyclones are last in the league in total offense (312.0) and total defense (463.2).


No. 6/7 Baylor (4-0, 1-0) at Texas (2-2, 1-0)

2:30 p.m. Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin (ABC)

The skinny: A great contract of styles where Baylor leads the country in total offense (641.0) and points per game (56.8) and has just about everybody health. PR/WR Levi Norwood has been cleared to play. Texas defense is coming off a 23-0 victory at Kansas and is second in the league in passing defense (140.5). WR Daje Johnson (suspended) has been rumored to return for this game.


No. 3/4 Oklahoma (4-0, 1-0) at No. 25/25 (3-0, 0-0)

2:30 p.m. Amon Carter Stadium, Fort Worth (FOX)

The skinny: TCU's Big 12 opener after blowing out Samford, Minnesota and SMU in its non-conference slate. A real test for QB Trevone Boykin who has adapted well to the express offense throwing for 858 yards and has one interception in his first 123 attempts. The Sooners have created 11 turnovers this year including eight interceptions. Zack Sanchez leads the league with four.


Kansas (2-2, 0-1) at West Virginia (2-2, 0-1)

3:00 p.m. Milan-Puskar Stadium, Morgantown, WVA (FOX Sports Net)

The skinny: A embattled Jayhawk team comes into Morgantown with interim head coach Clint Bowen. QB Montell Cozart has been rattled lately throwing four interceptions against Texas and not having enough receiving options. The Mountaineers should be in position to blow this game out. QB Clint Trickett leads the Big 12 in total offense with 1,580 yards.


Texas Tech (2-2, 0-1) at No. 22/23 Kansas State (3-1, 1-0)

6:00 p.m. Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Manhattan, KS (ESPNU)

The skinny: The Wildcats scored 42 unanswered points in last week's much-needed 58-28 win over UTEP. Texas Tech's Jakeen Grant leads the Big 12 in all-purpose yards per game 178.0 but defense is ninth overall in total yards at 456.5. Kansas State remains a disciplined team. The Wildcats have committed only 19 penalties all season.-SicEmSports





Emptying the Notebook

>Longview running back and Baylor commit JaMycal Hasty should be seeing his doctors this month (as early as next week) for more evaluation. There is the hope that he could return but that appears unlikely.


>North Mesquite 2016 offensive lineman Jean Delance has seen his recruiting escalate over the last couple of weeks. The 6-5 270-pound tackle has picked up offers from Texas Tech and TCU. There is no known contact between him and Baylor. But we wanted to make you aware of him.

-SicEmSports

NOTE: We mentioned in a thread that Baylor assistant Jerome Tang did an in home visit with Memphis Douglass 3-star guard LaGerald Vick. The 6-5 Vick, a shooting guard, fits the mold of the other guards Baylor has pursued including Rockdale's Wendell Mitchell. Vick has offers from Ole Miss, Memphis, Georgia Tech, Tennessee and Western Kentucky. He plays for the Memphis-based AAU program Team Thad. His wing span is estimated to be about 6-8. Up until about five months ago, Vick was considered a relatively unknown. But some valuable production in the spring and summer helped his name become more common in recruiting circles …Tang also visited Skal Labissiere, the 5-star center in Cordova, TN. Labissiere has recently named Baylor among his finalists. Labissiere's only known official visit is Oct. 4 at Tennessee.






Wilson analysis

Keller Fossil Ridge safety and Baylor commit Montrel Wilson had an interesting night. He came up with his first interception of the season in Fossil Ridge's 52-42 shootout win over Justin Northwest Thursday in Keller.


The pick was a product of his studying the scouting reports. That might tell you how he values film study.


"We had been working on their fake all week, and I saw [Northwest quarterback Jesse Drummer] raise his arm,'' Wilson said. "When I did that, I knew where he was going, and boom I got it.''


The interception proved important because it thwarted a scoring threat after Northwest returned the opening kickoff deep into Fossil Ridge territory.


Wilson has mixed the season between free and strong safety. And what makes him effective is how quick he is. He can stalk wide receivers over the top and defended a couple of passes. But he not playing to the level he needs to be. Obviously, surrendering 42 points doesn't give them a lot of comfort either.


"We play a pretty simple base defense but perfect it and play it as fast as we can,'' Wilson said. "Personally, I'm doing alright but I have lots of room to improve. The room to improve is great. And that's how great I think I can be.''


Wilson said everything between him and the Baylor coaches remains solid.

-Kevin Lonnquist


A side note

He may or may not have the speed Baylor would be looking for down the road, but Wilson's teammate 2015 running back Keyshawn Johnson (5-10, 200) enjoyed a huge game. He rushed for 281 yards and four scores. Mitchell is already up to 841 yards and rushing for 8.3 yards per attempt.


Mitchell has decent but not exceptional speed at 4.6 in the 40. But what impressed is how quickly he could adjust, bounce and take the run to the perimeter. Now, he didn't see exceptional speed from the Northwest defense. But quality running backs do have a knack to take runs in different directions.


So why isn't anyone looking at him?


"Really, I didn't get to go to any camps this summer because of some family stuff in California,'' Mitchell said. "I get some letters from a couple of schools like Kansas. I'm hoping that more people will see what I can do this year.''


Mitchell split time in 2013 and rushed for 720 yards and averaged six yards per carry. This could be a recruit some Division I schools jump in on him late. Is he good enough to get in at the P5 level? Probably not. However, he has a chance to get on someone's second or third option.

-Kevin Lonnquist




The mystery visit

During Baylor's bye week, offensive line coach Randy Clements went out to Pierce C.C. in Woodland Hills, CA to watch target Jay'Onn Myles. The move came as somewhat of a surprise because Myles was expecting defensive coordinator Phil Bennett.


That said, Baylor's appearance represented the staff remaining very interested. While he has a verbal offer, Myles doesn't have a written offer. Pierce lost to Southwestern, 41-14. Still Myles thought he played pretty well. Remember, Myles could be an option in the return game.


"I thought it was the best game I've ever played, so we'll see what happens,'' Myles said. "I think I should be hearing from them pretty soon because I did earn defensive MVP of the game. It's going to be interesting to see how this plays out.''


Myles said he followed up with Bennett by sending his films through the first two games. Time will tell. The question Baylor is going to have to answer is if can accept Myles at 5-8.

-Kevin Lonnquist



Running back watch - Part I

Abilene plays at Southlake Carroll on Friday in Southlake. The Eagles feature 2017 running back Abram Smith, who camped at Baylor in July. Smith (6-0, 195) turned his 2013 late season opportunity into success and continues to flourish this year.


Through the Eagles' first four games, he has rushed for 651 yards and averaged 162.8 yards per game and added seven touchdowns. His longest run is from 90 yards. Plus, he's been pretty reliable with his hands, averaging 15.5 yards on eight receptions.


That package is what drew the Baylor coaching staff toward him at the camp. Abilene coach Steve Warren has been high on Smith even since he started with the varsity.

-Kevin Lonnquist



Running back watch - Part II

Absolutely nobody knows about Colleyville Heritage 2016 running back Jamarie Williams (5-11, 180). But he also isn't a player that just happened to come out of the nowhere and amazed the Colleyville Heritage coaching staff. Head coach Darren Allman and his coaches were well aware of what the 4.5 40-yard speedster could do.


Williams enjoyed a breakout game with career-high 127 yards in the 40-16 win at Lake Highlands on Sept. 12 and has 234 for the season. What's been impressive is that he's averaging more than seven yards per rushing attempt.


"He has good speed and raw ability,'' Alllman said. "What we had to figure out about him was if he was going to be able to mentally take it all in in terms of pass protections. He's been getting better and earning our confidence.''

-Kevin Lonnquist



From Nicholson comes more

The commitment of South Grand Prairie's Tony Nicholson to Baylor last week could be just the beginning of things for Baylor at the school.


The Warriors feature two intriguing athletes in 2016 quarterback/athlete Greg Eisworth (6-1, 180) and 2017 athlete Jeffrey Okudah (6-1, 190).


"Baylor has been recruiting them very hard and is definitely watching them,'' South Grand Prairie coach Brent Whitson said. "There are a lot of things these two that can help a football team. They're very athletic.''


Eisworth's future in college probably won't be at quarterback. He can play in the secondary and his listed. 4.49 speed is something to watch. As the Warriors' starting quarterback, he has thrown for 742 yards (only completed 54 percent) and nine TDs. Okudah plays on both sides of the ball and presents big-play possibilities. He's averaging 28.5 yards per grab.

-Kevin Lonnquist



Big 12 Power Rankings

Each week, SicEmSports ranks the Big 12 teams based on expectations and performance. Ratings always vary. Agree or disagree, there's nothing like finding out who is ranked where. These rankings include the outcome of the Texas Tech-Oklahoma State game

1. Baylor - Three of the first in Big 12 on the road starting Saturday in Ames

2. Oklahoma - Sooners outscoring opponents 73-32 in the second half

3. Kansas State - WR Tyler Lockett struggling out of the gate

4. Oklahoma State - Cowboys still struggling with the running game

5. West Virginia - Losses to Alabama and Oklahoma reveal lack of depth

6. TCU - Horned Frogs about to whip up on SMU

7. Texas - Make it nine players dismissed from the program; drug tests have doubled

8. Texas Tech - The penalty problems with this team are pretty embarrassing

9. Iowa State - Hard to forget 71 points put on them from the previous Baylor meeting

10. Kansas - This is as good as it can get for the Jayhawks to beat Texas

-Kevin Lonnquist



Big 12 Weekend

A look at Saturday's action. All times are central. Oklahoma and West Virginia have byes.


No. 24 Oklahoma State 45, Texas Tech 35 (Thursday)

At Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State quarterback Daxx Garman threw for 370 yards and four touchdowns as the Cowboys rallied from an early deficit in the Big 12 opener for both teams. While the Cowboys (3-1, 1-0) still struggled running the football (3.8 avg), they forced three Red Raider (2-2, 0-1) interceptions. Tech quarterback Davis Webb left the game in the fourth quarter with a shoulder injury. The teams combined for 26 penalties and 287 total yards. The Red Raiders have allowed 49 and 45 points in each of their last two losses.


UTEP (2-1) at No. 25/25 Kansas State (2-1, 1-0)

11:00 a.m. Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Manhattan, KS (FSN)

The skinny: This is going to be a decent test because the Miners played Texas Tech very tough (30-26) and have a pretty solid running game led by Aaron Jones. Jones has already rushed for 549 yards. The Wildcats have to find a way to get their running game going. They had only 40 yards on 30 attempts last week against Auburn.


TCU (2-0) at SMU (0-3)

11:00 a.m. Gerald J. Ford Stadium, University Park (CBS Sports Network)

The skinny: The 93rd meeting in the Battle for the Iron Skillet (TCU leads, 46-39-7) has the makings of a blowout. The Horned Frogs have allowed only 21 points in the first two games. SMU has scored only 12 points and is working on its third different starting quarterback in a walk on.


Texas (1-2) at Kansas (2-1)

3:00 p.m. Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, KS (FOX Sports 1)

The skinny: The Big 12 opener for both teams. The Jayhawks have won only one of the first 12 meetings between with the Longhorns. However, Texas is depleted offensively with no playmakers at wide receiver and head coach Charlie Strong is very conservative with starting QB Tyrone Swoopes. Kansas QB Montell Cozart has been pretty good at home. If he can make some plays, then the Jayhawks have a chance.


No. 6/7 Baylor (3-0) at Iowa State (1-2)

7:00 p.m. Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA (FOX)

The skinny: Baylor leads the nation in yards per game (654.3), points per game (59.3) and is third in passing (416.0). And the Bears did this with the reserve quarterback and wide receiver corps for about half of it. Now, the journey toward a second consecutive Big 12 title begins. The Cyclones have a solid quarterback in Sam B. Richardson, but he hasn't demonstrated the ability to throw deep. Baylor's highly touted defensive line gets its first solid test of the season.



Emptying the Notebook

>Two of Baylor's running back recruiting targets enjoyed exceptional performances against each other. McKinney North running back Ronald Jones II rushing for 393 yards and six touchdowns in the 49-46 loss to Wylie East. East 2017 running back Eno Benjamin wasn't too back himself rushing for 228 yards and four touchdowns. Jones has said that he plans on taking visits elsewhere, even though he is committed to Oklahoma State.


>The Isaiah Austin Foundation has announced that its inaugural event, An Evening With Isaiah Austin will be held Friday, Oct. 24, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. The dinner event will feature former Baylor Basketball star Isaiah Austin, Baylor basketball head coach Scott Drew and others, along with an auction. An Evening with Isaiah Austin is sponsored by the National Basketball Association and the Dallas Mavericks. Notable Baylor alumni Jay Allison, Lance Byrd, Dary Stone and Jim Turner are serving as Honorary Chairmen.


>There are a couple of oddities within Baylor's ranking in the Big 12 stats. The Bears don't have a player in the top 10 kick return averages. Obviously, there haven't been a lot chances for that to happen (six total)…Baylor has already attempted 25 extra points (converted them all)…the Bears have not allowed a sack…the Bears have converted all seven of their fourth down attempts…Baylor opponents are averaging just 1.8 yards per attempt


>Baylor has started to push 2018 offers. The men's basketball team has offered 2018 International Christian (PA) G Junior Farquhar.

-SicEmSports

Football notes




Baylor coach Art Briles met with the media Thursday. While there wasn't a lot to report about, the notable part was that both wide receivers Corey Coleman (hamstring) and Antwan Goodley (quad) went through partial workouts and appear to be making good progress. Optimism remains high that the two will be ready for Iowa State on Sept. 27.



Also, wide receiver Clay Fuller (broken clavicle) will get an X-Ray on Monday to see if he will also be ready for Iowa State.



The interesting thing is if all three are cleared for play, what that would mean for KD Cannon because of his electric start. It's going to be hard to keep him off the field.



And if you're wondering, suspended defensive end Sam Ukwuachu continues to go through workouts off the practice field. He is not on the roster but a part of the program.


-SicEmSports






Good will gesture


Baylor coaches know they are going to have to make sure they stay in contact with Port Arthur Memorial RB Kameron Martin. As the Rivals 2016 250 prospect continues his season, his popularity rises.



"I've been hearing a lot from a lot of schools like LSU, Texas A&M and Florida State,'' Martin said of his phone call conversation with the Baylor coaches. "But I had a good meeting with the coach [Jeff] Lebby and [Carlton] Buckels. Coach Lebby said they just can't wait for me to get to Baylor and can't wait to see me a part of their offense because they know I'd be a great fit.''



There is a long time between now and signing day 2016. Martin is off to a good start rushing for 276 yards through the first three games. But he's splitting carries with Texas Tech commit Corey Dauphine. Dauphine also met with Baylor coaches on Thursday. But at this point, it doesn't sound like there is anything going to suggest that Dauphine would be switching his commitment. If there is any good news in this is that Dauphine was willing to meet with the Baylor coaches.



We do know Baylor coaches probably won't give up on Dauphine just yet.


-Kevin Lonnquist




Agim impressed with Baylor defensive line


Hope (AR) 2016 defensive end McTelvin Agim spoke with Baylor assistant Chris Achuff earlier this week and said he had a solid discussion with the Baylor defensive assistant.



Agim, who attended the Baylor camp June 7 in Marshall, continues to express his interest in Baylor. And it didn't matter that his friend Davion Hall is currently with the Bears.



"They have a good team and know how to win. I like them a lot,'' Agim said. "I watched [Shawn Oakman a lot. The man is a beast.''



The No. 78 player in the Rivals 250, Agim said he still plans to visit Baylor for one of its home games. He just hasn't figured out which one. But he said that if it were to work out and he came to Baylor, he probably would occupy the spot where Oakman is.



"He's a really good player,'' Agim said. "I like what Baylor is doing.''


-Kevin Lonnquist




The mystery at Blinn


Earlier on Thursday, we received a tip that Baylor had offered Blinn college wide receiver DeDe Westbrook. First of all, we found that very strange because with the coaching staff taking a small class, there was the likelihood that Baylor was going to take only one wide receiver in this class.



And Baylor doesn't take JUCO wide receivers. The staff typically likes to build the wide receivers when they arrive as freshmen. Look no further than KD Cannon who leads the nation with 471 receiving yards.



We checked with Blinn coach Keith Thomas who said he had not heard anything where Baylor had offered Westbrook. However, Westbrook may be turning some heads with his performance so far. The 2015 recruit (6-1, 170) already has 559 receiving yards on 20 receptions in three games. That's a crazy 186 yards per game average. He also has five touchdowns.



As a precaution, we checked to see if everything with Stricklin's academic situation was in good and were led to believe it was. We'll let you know if anything comes of this.



But in an unrelated matter, one-time Baylor signee Kyle Fulks has sent off transcripts to the Baylor track coaching staff. We're hearing that an official visit could be in the future. Again, if this were to come together, it would seem that Fulks would sign for track and then it would be determined if Baylor football wants to get involved.


-Kevin Lonnquist




Houston rock solid with Baylor
An offer from Big 12 rival Oklahoma State (as well as another from New Mexico State) have done nothing to change Austin St. Michael's DB Jameson Houston's commitment to Baylor. Asked about that OSU offer, Houston cut me off before I could even finish my question.

"No, I'm going to stick with Baylor," he told me.

That won't stop Baylor from making sure they keep the cornerback in the fold. Houston said Baylor DC Phil Bennett will be at his game tonight, along with assistants Carlton Buckels and Brian Norwood.

"It pushes me more towards Baylor, which already was my top choice anyway," he said. "It shows me that they really want me to come and play for their program."

Perhaps another big game -- he's already passed the 400-yard mark offensively and has scored defensive and special teams touchdowns -- will convince the Baylor coaches Houston will be ready to play as a true freshman in 2015. That's one of his goals.

"I'm really excited about playing for Baylor," he said, "and hopefully I'll get to play some next year. They told me for sure I'd have a chance on kick and punt returns when I get there."
-Jake Shaw






Mitchell closer to visit


Rockdale 2015 shooting guard Wendell Mitchell said he is looking at taking his official visit to Baylor in mid-October. Mitchell recently had an inhome visit Baylor head coach Scott Drew.



"Oh, it went great,'' Mitchell said. "I have a great relationship with Coach Drew and the Baylor staff.''



In August, Mitchell lined Baylor up as one of his five finalists along with SMU, Texas Tech, Kansas State and Auburn. If Mitchell is looking to do his visit in mid-October odds are it will be Oct. 11 when the football team plays host to TCU. Plus, that's the same weekend recent commit Jake Lindsey would be taking his official visit. Of course, Baylor already has two guards to this class between Lindsey and King McClure.


-Kevin Lonnquist




What to make of Dodge


After the report broke earlier on Thursday that Cedar Hill wide receiver Damarkus Lodge had de-committed from Texas A&M, Cedar Hill coach Joey McGuire tweeted that Lodge had not yet spoken anyone from the Texas A&M staff, his recruiter David Beaty or head coach Kevin Sumlin.



Based on that and a couple of other people that we've spoken with, it doesn't look like a full de-commitment but one of those situations where Lodge is going to keep his options open. Obviously, this means that Baylor can jump back into this to some extent but of a cautionary tone. If Lodge meets with the A&M coaches and walks away, then that's a game changer. The other thing is that if Lodge re-open his commitment as an uncommitted player, then it would fall back to Baylor pursuing the best players available.


-Kevin Lonnquist






Big 12 Power Rankings


Each week, SicEmSports ranks the Big 12 teams based on expectations and performance. Ratings always vary. Agree or disagree, there's nothing like finding out who is ranked where.


1. Baylor - Frosh WR KD Cannon leads the nation in receiving yardage (471)


2. Oklahoma - QB Trevor Knight demonstrating he's the real thing


3. Kansas State - Too many turnovers in the 20-14 loss to Auburn


4. Oklahoma State - Mike Gundy's young team making progress


5. West Virginia - Trips to Morgantown will be even tougher than before


6. TCU - Steady defensive play but the QB Trevone Boykin needs accuracy


7. Texas - Praying for a happy and healthy life for QB David Ash who stopped playing (concussion)


8. Texas Tech - DC Mark Wellerstedt gone; DC instability issues resume


9. Iowa State - Big win at Iowa; Ames now about to explode as Baylor arrives Sept. 27


10. Kansas - If the Jayhawks struggle with Central Michigan…..


-Kevin Lonnquist






Big 12 Weekend


A look at Saturday's action. All times are central. It's a light week as Baylor, Iowa State, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas Tech and TCU all have byes.



No. 5/5 Auburn 20, No. 20/20 Kansas State 14 - Final


The skinny: In a nationally televised Thursday night game, this became a contest of missed opportunities for the Wildcats (2-1). They had eight possessions in Auburn territory and came away with only two touchdowns. They also uncharacteristically turned it over three times, twice in the Red Zone including an interception in the end zone off a deflection. They also missed three field goals. Auburn's defense also shut down KSU's running game, holding the Wildcats to only 40 yards on 30 attempts. Auburn (3-0) quarterback Nick Marshall threw for 231 yards and two touchdowns.



Central Michigan (2-1) at Kansas (1-1)


2:30 p.m. Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, KS (Jayhawk HD TV)


The skinny: The Chippewas had an impressive win over an awful Purdue squad (38-17) but then got embarrassed at home by Syracuse (40-3). Senior RB Thomas Rawls is no longer a reserve and is the go-to man for the running game. Kansas' running game between De'Andre Mann and Corey Avery has looked respectable. The two have combined for nearly 400 yards. This offense, though, needs play out of the passing game from QB Montell Cozart.



No. 4/4 Oklahoma (3-0) at West Virginia (2-1)


7:00 p.m. Milan-Puskar Stadium, Morgantown, WVA (FOX)


The skinny: Going to Morgantown will be no easy task. The Sooners escaped in 2012, 50-49. QB Trevor Knight continues to play at a high level throwing 860 yards. But this game could be decided in who can't run it. The Sooners are missing leading rusher Keith Ford (leg) while West Virginia's Rushel Smith is banged up from the 40-37 win over Maryland and may not be at 100 percent.


-SicEmSports




Emptying the notebook


>Waco Midway S Kahlil Haughton said the official visit he might be looking at with Baylor could be Nov. 22 when the Bears play Oklahoma State. If it's not then, he said that the visit, though, would come during the football season. Haughton, though, also wasn't distracted by the recent change at Texas Tech defensive coordinator Matt Wallerstedt abruptly "resigned" at Texas Tech. He said he has a good relationship with other coaches.



>The first workout for the men's basketball team is Oct. 3. Yes, it's getting closer.



>Kennedale 2017 linebacker Baron Browning is out indefinitely with fractured ankle and shoulder injury. Visits to the doctor next week could determine is he will miss the remainder of the season.
>Baylor assistant Brian Norwood was among the coaches on hand at McLane Stadium to watch the two Cibolo Steele 2016 prospects, DE Mark Jackson and RB Bryson Denley, against DeSoto. Was told DeSoto held Jackson in check in the first half until it became a blitz fest in the second half. DeSoto won 29-24.




-SicEmSports

Note: Because of my Aledo radio duties, Jake will taking over coverage of Friday's game against Buffalo. I will track the game but probably won't be able to offer much during the game. But that's why there are three of us covering this team.




Evaluations: Waco Midway vs. Mansfield Timberview

I had a chance to take in a great matchup at Mansfield's Vernon Newsom Stadium between Waco Midway and Mansfield Timberview, the No. 3 team in Class 5A. The Panthers held on to win, 41-34. But there were plenty of names that drew my interest with Baylor connections. So let's take them one by one.


Kahlil Haughton, S, Waco Midway (6-1, 178), 2015: Not an active night for Haughton overall. But you can tell when you see him in uniform he just looks like a safety. Lean and cut and pretty quick. On a couple of occasions, he delivered hits to Timberview wide receivers that would make them gun shy to come into the zone. There were times where he would line up over the slot. His back peddling is pretty crisp. I counted two pass breakups. He did get flagged for a horse collar tackle in the third quarter. On a 75-yard TD pass that came against the Midway DB, Haughton tried to but missed on a strip at the 10-yard line. Haughton is a safety who is good at run support and will make wide receivers think twice coming across the middle of the field. He still needs to be a little more sure of himself in pass coverage.


Devontre Stricklin, WR, Waco Midway (6-2, 167), 2015: After 100-yard performances against Lake Travis and Mansfield, it was a pretty quiet night with one catch for 23 yards. He was targeted six times. But QB Ben Hicks led him a little too far on one that could have been a TD, overthrew him on a second (looked like a miscommunication), just missed him on another and Stricklin caught one well out of bounds. The last miss was on a drag rout where the Timberview DB made a nice play to knock the ball down. The 23-yard catch, though, was why Baylor likes him. Stricklin had the DB to his inside and fought for and won the ball. He got about eight more yards after the catch. He did face a lot of single coverage at the line of scrimmage with the safety over the top.


Eric Clayburn, RB, Waco Midway (6-0, 180), 2016: First time for me to see Clayburn and he was the show rushing for 291 yards and four touchdowns including a 39-yard run that sealed the win. Clayburn is pretty dependable between the tackles. And he doesn't mind laying a shoulder into you. He flattened a Timberview defender to the point where the Timberview trainers had to come out to the field to check on him. What Clayburn doesn't have is serious separation speed. It isn't poor. It could get better. But I couldn't foresee Baylor making a major push on him. I like him. He's going to play in college. Maybe a U-La Lafayette or North Texas. My guess is Baylor will continue to watch him.


Devin Williams, QB, Mansfield Timberview (5-9, 175), 2016: Against Midway, Williams was 17-31-1 273 1TD. There is no denying Williams' arm. He has a big one. It's also wildly inaccurate. His footwork is stable. But he also had some balance issues where he was lost where he was on the field. He had 10 carries for -11 yards because. See the previous sentence for why. His best ball was a 75-yard TD pass - the one Haughton tried to strip - to Jelani Selmon. The air was tight and Selmon ran under it, caught and did the rest. Williams also threw a strike on a slant pattern to Braylon Royal that covered 38 yards for a TD that brought Timberview to within 41-34. Good velocity on it. I keep thinking to myself if Williams was even 6-0 - the press box roster listed him at 5-11 which isn't even close - he might get some suitors. When he sends out the films of these three games (for the first three games 43-69-1 608 5TD), programs are going to see the live arm and then be frustrated by the height. Williams really wants to play Division I. And he can. It just won't be at quarterback. His speed and agility make him too valuable not look at the secondary. If this story sounds familiar, then it should. This was kind of the story involving Terrence Williams from Port Arthur Memorial. Now, he's in the Baylor secondary.

-Kevin Lonnquist



Pick to Click

SicEmSports continues this game-day feature, something we call the "Pick to Click". Based on Baylor's opponent, the individual matchups and the style of play, we pick one Baylor player that's in the best position to have a huge game. Today, we pick the Bear most likely to make an impact in Game 3 at Buffalo.
________________________________________


Player: #4 Xavien Howard, DB, So.

Questions surrounded the Baylor secondary coming into the 2014 season. It's really too early to tell if this secondary has the makings of being a shutdown type of unit. But it doesn't take long to understand the athleticism is far better than what has been through Waco in recent years. It's just inexperienced.


Howard's emergence as a starting cornerback had the preseason buildup of a cornerback who not only was talented but also pretty technically sound. Now, Baylor's secondary really hasn't been tested through the first two games against SMU and Northwestern State. However, when Howard has had to do something, it's been pretty impressive. He has interceptions in each of those games. He also has a pass breakup and three other passes defended.


For one, he turns his head at the right time - a sign that he looking into the receiver's eyes. Second, he's pretty physical and plays at a size (6-2, 200) that college coaches want in their DBs these days. When it comes to playing against the more athletic Big 12 receivers, Howard likely will get the toughest assignment.


Buffalo quarterback Joe Licata does have a pretty good arm throwing for 699 yards and eight touchdowns. He's also thrown three beyond 20 yards. Baylor's secondary remembers him from the 2013 meeting when he threw at deep TD pass on the Bulls' first series. But Licata has also thrown four interceptions.


The pick-to-click forecast: The thinking here is that Howard will get matched against Buffalo's Ron Willoughby (6-4, 199). He's the leading receiver with 15 receptions for 187 yards and two TDs. My belief is that whatever Willoughby catches will be underneath. There could be one long one. But Howard continues to ply his trade in becoming a shutdown corner.


Projection: 3 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 1 PD, 1 PBU
Game 2 projection (RB Johnny Jefferson)

Projection: 15 carries, 85 yards, 1 TD, 1 reception 14 yards

Actual: 20 carries, 107 yards, 1 TD, no receptions
Game 1 projection (DE Jamal Palmer)
Projection: 8 tackles (3 solo), 1 QB sack, 2 QB hurries
Actual: 5 tackles (3 solo), 0.5 sack, 1 QB hurry

No. 7/8 Baylor (2-0) at Buffalo (1-1)
7:00 p.m. Friday
UB Stadium, Buffalo, NY
TV/Radio: ESPN/ESPN Central Texas/Sirius 91/XM91

-Kevin Lonnquist



Big 12 Power Rankings

Each week, SicEmSports ranks the Big 12 teams based on expectations and performance. Ratings always vary. Agree or disagree, there's nothing like finding out who is ranked where.

1. Baylor - QB Bryce Petty returns to action

2. Oklahoma - Defense isn't so much the concern; are there enough offensive playmakers?

3. Kansas State - Jake Waters leads a 15-point comeback in Ames

4. Oklahoma State - This is snake bitten QB U; J.W. Walsh out 6-8 weeks (foot/ankle)

5. West Virginia - Running game still not there; Pitt transfer Rushel Smith shows signs

6. Texas - It could get really ugly against UCLA Saturday in Arlington

7. TCU - Horned Frogs will dare Minnesota QB Mitch Leidner to make plays

8. Texas Tech - Red Raiders get a better sense of themselves against Arkansas

9. Iowa State - Once again, the Cyclones can't close out a late lead at home

10. Kansas - Jayhawks start fast but then have to hang on SE Missouri State. Really?

-Kevin Lonnquist


Big 12 Weekend

A look at Friday and Saturday's action. All times are central. Kansas State is off this week. It's a pretty big weekend for the conference with the Big 12 facing three Big 10 opponents, two SEC opponents, one ACC, and one Pac 12 opponent.


No. 7/8 Baylor (2-0) at Buffalo (1-1)

7:00 p.m. Friday, UB Stadium, Buffalo (ESPN)

The skinny: With the return of Baylor QB Bryce Petty, the main thing to watch is how his timing is for the receivers. The defense has allowed just six points through the first two games. The defensive line has owned the line of scrimmage.


West Virginia (1-1) at Maryland (2-0)

11:00 a.m. Saturday, Byrd Stadium, College Park, MD (Big Ten Network)

The skinny: This is the 51st renewal of this rivalry that began back in 1919. The Mountaineers lead the series, 26-22-2. However, the Terps embarrassed WVA in the 2013 meeting, 37-0. Maryland is in its debut season in the Big 10. WVA QB Clint Trickett is off to a pretty solid start, throwing 713 yards and three TDs.


Kansas (1-0) at Duke (2-0)

2:30 p.m. Saturday, Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham, N.C. (ESPN gameplan)

The Skinny: An intriguing matchup. Kansas is on a 27-game road losing streak. There were encouraging signs from Jayhawk quarterback Montell Cozart who could help this offense look a little more flashy. The Blue Devils appear to have a chance to be a bowl team under David Cutcliffe.


Arkansas (1-1) at Texas Tech (2-0)

2:30 p.m. Saturday, AT&T Jones Stadium, Lubbock (ABC)

The Skinny: A great throwback SWC game between the Razorbacks and Red Raiders. Arkansas' defense has to find a way to pressure Tech QB Davis Webb. Tech's suspect defense has to figure out how physical it needs to be with a big Arkansas offensive line that features a great running game led by the speedster Alex Collins.


Iowa State (0-2) at Iowa (2-0)

2:30 p.m. Saturday, Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA (ESPN)

The Skinny: The 62nd renewal of the Cy-Hawk Trophy game. Iowa leads the series, 40-21. ISU coach Paul Rhoads hopes his team has put last week's heartbreak against KSU behind them. Aaron Wimberly is a reliable RB. The Hawkeyes are about as unimpressive as you can find at 2-0. They squeaked by Northern Illinois and needed at late TD to avoid Ball State's upset bid.


Minnesota (2-0) at TCU (1-0)

3:00 p.m. Saturday, Amon Carter Stadium, Fort Worth (FOX Sports 1)

The Skinny: Golden Gopher TB Trevor Cobb is a steady RB rushing for more than 100 yards in each of the first two games. TCU QB Trevone Boykin got the start he was looking for in the new spread offense two weeks ago as he threw for 350 yards in the win over Samford. This could be low scoring as both defenses are very sound.


UT-San Antonio (1-1) at Oklahoma State (1-1)

6:00 p.m. Saturday, Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater OK (Fox Sports Oklahoma)

The Skinny: With QB Daxx Garman running the offense, it should be interesting how much the Cowboys passing game opens up. Tyreek Hill is a gifted offensive skill player averaging 9.1 yards per reception and 6.6 yards per rush. Larry Coker's Road Runners could be a bowl team this year.


Tennessee (2-0) at No. 3/4 Oklahoma (2-0)

7:00 p.m. Saturday, Gaylord Memorial Stadium, (ABC)

The Skinny: A primetime game that should show America where the Volunteers are on the national radar. The Sooners are hoping it won't be much of a showing. Senior QB Justin Worley has been pretty efficient in the wins over Utah State and Arkansas State. But there's a better test with the OU defense. However, DE Charles Walker (sprained knee) is expected to miss the game.


No. 12/12 UCLA (2-0) vs. Texas (1-1)

7:15 p.m. Saturday, AT&T Stadium, Arlington (FOX)

The skinny: The Bruins have been pretty underwhelming in their wins over Virginia and Memphis. This offense has been misfiring and there have been some protection issues with the offensive line. But junior quarterback Brett Hundley has a great feel for the game. Texas QB Tyrone Swoopes makes his second start. But who is he throwing it too? WR Jaxon Shipley is questionable with a hamstring issue.

-SicEmSports




Emptying the Notebook

>It will be a Baylor wide receiver reunion Sunday in Nashville as the Dallas Cowboys (Terrance Williams) play at Tennessee Titans (Kendall Wright). The game is at noon and will be shown on FOX.


>In case you didn't see it, freshman wide receiver K.D. Cannon is putting out some ridiculous stats. He's
averaging 35.3 yards per reception. Of his eight receptions, four are for touchdowns.


>Port Arthur Memorial RB Kameron Martin, Baylor's 2016 commit, rushed for 134 yards and two touchdowns in the 17-14 win over Beaumont Central last Friday. He has rushed for 201 yards and 5TDs so far.


>In last week's 66-13 victory over Houston Yates, Navasota wide receiver Tren'Davian Dickson had four receptions for 119 yards and three touchdowns. Those came on throw of 53, 32 and 15 yards.

-Kevin Lonnquist

When will it end?


If Baylor offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery was a gambling man, now probably wouldn't be the time to hit the tables. Or buy a lottery ticket.





Montgomery and the Bears have seen the preseason injuries to offensive skill players escalate after just one game, something that didn't seem possible back in August. Then, Baylor knew WR Clay Fuller (broken clavicle) would be out until the midpoint of the 2014 season, and that Corey Coleman's hamstring would sideline him for perhaps all of the non-conference.





But then came the SMU game, and the casualties continue to mount. Antwan Goodley aggravated his quad injury, preventing him from making a single catch. Levi Norwood injured his wrist, requiring surgery and a recovery time of 3-6 weeks. QB Bryce Petty won't need surgery, but sources have told us he also likely won't play Saturday because of the cracks in the transverse processes on a vertebra in his back. Baylor even had an injury at running back to Devin Chafin with a high ankle sprain.





If you've done the math, that's four starting receivers (the four leading returners from last year to boot), the starting quarterback, and the co-starting running back. A terrible run of bad luck.





To add to the pileup, a source told me that TE Tre'Von Armstead seemed "gimpy" at a practice this week and wasn't allowed to go through contact. While he's expected to play, don't be surprised to see his minutes spread out to other tight ends (namely Gus Penning and Pat Colbert, the latter who played some blocking TE last week after playing strictly OL last year).





So where does that leave Baylor?





Seth Russell (39-66, 588 yards, 3 TDs in his career) should start his first-ever game on Saturday, we have been told. Petty might not even suit up, but I bet he comes out in uniform just because he's a competitive guy. That leaves RS freshman Chris Johnson (1-1, 28 yards vs. SMU) as the backup, with walk-on Andre Frerking, who has played but has yet to attempt a pass, as the third-stringer.





Things are also clear at running back. Shock Linwood will start again, and expect Baylor to go with him and RS freshman Johnny Jefferson exclusively Saturday when the game is in doubt. When it's not, walk-on Silas Nacita could play some. Don't expect true freshman Terrence Williams to get his redshirt burned -- unless the injury bug creeps up again. At this point, you can't rule it out. You might even see another position player get a chance at RB, kind of like what Baylor did with safety Anthony Webb last year.





Receiver is where it gets trickier. Jay Lee played his best game of his career against SMU and now becomes the top target. Expect him out there for the bulk of the snaps. Baylor will likely go with more three-receiver sets because of the injuries, so think Lee with a pair from a group that includes Davion Hall, KD Cannon, Lynx Hawthorne and perhaps even Quan Jones.





Because of the nature of the injuries to the receivers, Baylor probably won't burn the redshirts of Chris Platt and Ishmael Zamora. If everyone gets healthy by the Iowa State game, Platt/Zamora will have lost a season of eligibility simply to play in two non-conference games that were extremely winnable without them.





The silver lining to these injuries, if there is one, is that all of them are happening early. Logic says the injuries will slow down, and better to have guys sidelined with injuries now, rather than October and November. And it also greatly benefits Cannon, Hall and even Hawthorne to get meaningful experience so early on.





But part of that is wishful thinking. The hope is that the injuries heal on time and don't keep this current rate. If that's the case, Baylor will be fine. But if they continue to hit this team -- if the bad luck continues -- the road to repeating as Big 12 champs gets far more treacherous.




-Jake Shaw






'I almost committed'




For his official visit to Baylor this past weekend, Woodland Hills C.C. OT Deya Mhiesen got a glimpse of the past, present and future of Baylor.





The past came in a brief conversation with RGIII, on campus as part of the McLane Stadium opening festivities, who told Mhiesen "you really should come here." The present came in the form of his hosts, linemen Pat Colbert and Ishmael Wilson, who both made him feel at home.





The future came from 2015 Baylor commit Maurice Porter, who also took his official visit last weekend, and did his best to convince Mhiesen to join him in Waco.





It nearly worked.





"I loved it. I almost committed," he said with a laugh. "I love the school, but I want to take all my visits. It was my first official visit, but they made me feel like I was at home. It was really cool, but I feel like all schools will make me feel wanted, so I want to take them. At end of day, I'm just going to pick the best school for me."





Next up for Mhiesen actually occurred this weekend at Oklahoma State. He has another scheduled for Oklahoma in December, as well as a trip to Arizona State. His fifth visit is undetermined, but he's considering USC, Miami and Florida State, though none have offered yet.





One thing worth noting -- Mhiesen won't play this fall. He's taking a redshirt so that he'll have three years of eligibility wherever he signs, which he plans to do in December so he can enroll in January 2015. I'll have more on his visit later this weekend.




-Jake Shaw






President faces Hager




Baylor's 2014 recruiting class had roughly five games where recruits faced each other. The most notable was when K.D. Cannon (Mount Pleasant) faced Davion Hall (Texarkana-Liberty Eylau).





The trend continues on Friday in Austin when quarterback Chad President (Temple) opposes linebacker Breckyn Hager (Austin Westlake). Both teams are coming off difficult opener. Temple hung on to beat Round Rock, 34-27. West lost to Southlake Carroll, 17-14.





"It's going to be a lot of fun,'' Hager said. "I've been going against him since my sophomore year.''





Of course, President missed basically the last eight games of 2013 - he tore his right ACL on the first play of the third game. But now, he's ready. He collected nearly 300 yards against Round Rock. Hager was pretty active against Carroll with four QB pressures.





"[Right now] He's the enemy,'' President said. "After the game, he'll be my Baylor brother.''





The two don't know each other. That will change in time. But they know each other well enough because of what they've seen on film.





President noted how solid Hager's technique is and that he is a sure tackler. Hager called President a determined player. Baylor's likely perspective is that is doesn't want either one to get hurt.





There also won't be any awkwardness for Baylor's game Saturday against Northwestern St. President plans to attend the game. Hager isn't coming.




-Kevin Lonnquist










Baylor-Northwestern St. Visitor list




This list is subject to change. But unlike last week for the opener against SMU, this should be a smaller group. The Bears won't be playing at McLane Stadium for 35 days. The next home game is Oct. 11 against TCU.





So here is who we know is planning on coming or is trying to see if he can make it.





>Chad President, QB, Temple (Baylor 2015 commit)





>Kahlil Haughton, S, Waco Midway (Baylor 2015 offer)





>Sam Tecklenburg, OL, Plano (Baylor 2015 commit) - He's a maybe





>Blake Lynch, Ath, Gilmer (Baylor 2015 commit)





>Tren'Davian Dickson, WR, Navasota (Baylor 2016 commit) - He's a maybe





>Obi Eboh, S, SL Carroll (Baylor 2016 interest) - He's a maybe





>Devontre Stricklin, WR, Waco Midway (Baylor 2015 commit)




-Kevin Lonnquist










Williams patiently waiting




Fort Worth All Saints 2016 defensive tackle Mike Williams has been to a lot of football stadiums in his life. But the experience last Sunday at McLane Stadium did more than catch his attention.





"It's the best I've seen,'' Williams said. "I really like the Baylor coaching staff. They're a bunch of cool dudes.''





Baylor has made no secret about its interest in Williams (6-2, 235). Coach Jeff Lebby made several stops at All Saints during the May evaluation period. Williams said Lebby told him the Baylor coaching staff is still working its way through the 2016 defensive line evaluations.





He's not bothered by it. In fact, he realizes that should the time come for Baylor to offer, he'll definitely welcome it. Williams, a 3- star recruit, has nine offers including Ohio State and Michigan.





"I think I can offer a physical presence,'' Williams said. "I can play defensive end, nose guard and defensive tackle. So I'm flexible. I really liked the way how active both Andrew Billings and Javonte Magee played.





"Baylor is close to home, and I'd love to see what happens.''




-Kevin Lonnquist






Jackson about to blossom




Cedar Hill 2017 all-everything back Jaylon Jackson saw the spread and the video games at the recruiting room last Sunday at McLane Stadium.





But after taking part of some chicken fried steak, he immediately went to the field to watch Baylor go through pregame warmups before the inaugural game at McLane Stadium against SMU.





All in all, if you're going to get a first impression of a school, this is the time to do it. This was his first visit to Waco.





"I like their school, their offense and just everything that they have going on,'' Jackson said. "They put wide receivers in the [NFL]. I had a great time.''





Jackson (5-9, 170) is just starting his breakthrough with the Longhorn offense. In last week's opener against Dallas South Oak Cliff, he rushed for 31 yards (on four attempts), caught a pass for 11 yards and returned a kickoff that went about 40 yards in Cedar Hill's 56-34 victory. Baylor hasn't offered yet. Jackson doesn't have one to his ledger yet. But he's hoping that a big football season will translate into several offers including Baylor.





Jackson started to make contact with Baylor coaches during the evaluation period. He then attended the June 6 open camp at Lake Highlands. His speed is something that's attractive. He can also be return specialist.





It's unlikely that he'll be back in Waco Saturday for the game against Northwestern State. However, he's open to making another trip should the schedule allow.





"I like talking with coach [Jeff] Lebby,'' he said. "He just told me that whenever I want to come to call him, and he'll put my name on the list. I'm trying to be the top player in my 2017 class. I just want to keep making plays.''




-Kevin Lonnquist






Another big basketball weekend




Baylor has three 2015 commitments but this weekend's visitors continues to demonstrate how active the coaching staff is with 2015 and 2016 recruits.





Dallas Madison 2015 guard Admon Gilder is taking his official visit this weekend. But that's only part of the news. Prime Preps' two star players - Mark Vital and Terrance Ferguson - are also expected to attend.





Vital, the No. 51 recruit in the Rivals 2016 class, committed to Baylor in 2013. Ferguson, though, is very important. He's the No. 8 2016 recruit and it sounds like the Baylor coaching staff has made some major progress in recent weeks and months.





"Baylor is moving up,'' a source said. "[Terrance's mom] feels good about them and loves the staff.''




-Kevin Lonnquist










Big 12 Power Rankings




Each week, SicEmSports ranks the Big 12 teams based on expectations and performance. Ratings always vary. Agree or disagree, there's nothing like finding out who is ranked where.




1. Baylor - The injury bug is biting bad; good thing September isn't a killer month




2. Oklahoma - QB Trevor Knight was not lights out against La Tech




3. Kansas State - Solid start against SFA; time to open Big 12 play against Iowa State




4. Texas - QB David Ash's career is up in the air (concussion) and 3 OL are hurt or suspended




5. Oklahoma State - A strong showing against FSU is exactly why I respect Mike Gundy




6. West Virginia - Moutaineers athleticism held its own against Alabama




7. TCU - Good start to the spread offense; a week off to prepare for Minnesota




8. Texas Tech - What a flat tire start for this defense.




9. Iowa State - A demoralizing loss to N Dakota St is followed by playing Kansas State




10. Kansas - Jayhawks finally get going; It's QB Montel Cozart's turn to run the offense




-Kevin Lonnquist










Big 12 Weekend




A look at Saturday and Sunday's action. All times are central. TCU is off this week.





No. 20/20 Kansas State (1-0) at Iowa State (0-1)




11:00 a.m., Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA (FOX Sports 1)




The skinny: The first Big 12 game of the season. Kansas State got the start it wanted against Stephen F. Austin. Iowa didn't get the start it wanted against NDSU. Cyclone WR Quenton Bundrage is done for the season with a torn ACL. That hurts a team that really needs playmakers. KSU QB Jake Waters threw a career-high four TDs in the 55-16 win.





No. 3/4 Oklahoma (1-0) at Tulsa (1-0)




11:00 a.m., Skelly Stadium, Tulsa OK (ABC/ESPN2)




The skinny: A decent start for the Sooners who saw some good things from their running game. LB Jason Evans is apparently out for the first half because he was ejected in the second half of last week's win over Louisiana Tech. Oklahoma is waiting final clarification from the Big 12. The Golden Hurricane begins a new era in the American Athletic Conference and escaped in overtime against Tulane, 38-31.





Missouri State (1-0) at Oklahoma State (1-0)




2:30 p.m., Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK (FOX Sports Net)




The skinny: While no one wants to lose, head coach Mike Gundy should feel pretty good about his team in its 37-31 loss to Florida State. The Cowboys return for the home opener and should clean up against a FCS team that needed a 20-point fourth quarter to pull out a win at Northwestern State.





SE Missouri (1-0) at Kansas (0-0)




6:00 p.m., Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, KS (Jayhawk TN)




The skinny: This is the 2014 opener for the Jayhawks. Quarterback Montel Cozart is now in charge of the offense, and coach Charlies Weis hopes an offseason refined and improved his dual threat skills. As always, the Jayhawks are hoping some good things will emerge with another group of JUCO transfers. Will Dallas Carter RB product Corey Avery see time?





Northwestern State (0-1) at No. 9/10 Baylor (1-0)




6:30 p.m., McLane Stadium, Waco (FOX Sports Net)




The skinny: Injuries have engulfed this team with the likes of QB Bryce Petty, RB Devin Chafin and wide receivers Levi Norwood, Corey Coleman and Antwan Goodley not expected to play against the Demons. This a guaranteed game and the second game the Bears will play in 13 days.





BYU (1-0) at No. 25 Texas (1-0)




6:30 p.m., Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin (FOX Sports 1)




The skinny: While Texas' defense got off to a good start, the Longhorns are going to be without QB David Ash (concussion symptoms) and three offensive linemen. Tyrone Swoopes will earn his first start at quarterback. RB Johnathan Gray had a solid comeback for Texas rushing for 84 yards. The Cougars won impressively at UConn last week, 35-10, as QB Taysom Hill accounted for 405 total yards (308 passing, 97 rushing).





Towson (0-1) at West Virginia (0-1)




6:30 p.m., Milan-Puskar Stadium, Morgantown, WVA (Root Sports)




The skinny: West Virginia QB Clint Trickett got off to a great starting throwing 365 yards and touchdown and no interceptions last week against Alabama. Confidence goes a long way. However, the running game looked very pedestrian rushing for 28 net yards. This is West Virginia's guarantee game with Towson, which is out of Baltimore.





Texas Tech (1-0) at UTEP (1-0)




10:00 p.m. Sun Bowl, El Paso (FOX Sports 1)




The Skinny: A pretty deplorable defensive effort by the Red Raiders against FCS Central Arkansas last week didn't inspire many on the South Plains. The offense did find minus the Davis Webb two interceptions. UTEP's offense is now under the direction of former Texas A&M quarterback Jameill Showers. Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury was at A&M when Showers was there. Miner running back Aaron Jones rushed for a career-high 237 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-24 victory at New Mexico.




-SicEmSports










Emptying the Notebook




>Baylor's contact with former 2013 signee Kyle Fulks may not be over yet. We're hearing Fulks is in contact with the Baylor track staff and could be offered a track scholarship. He would finish Blinn in December and be eligible to enroll in January. How this impacts him with the football program is unclear but we're told the football staff knows about this.





>Don't make too much into Mesquite Poteet athlete Deandre McNeal's appearance last weekend at Baylor's opener. Prior to his attending the game with teammate Malik Jefferson - a spur of the moment decision that resulted in him coming with Jefferson - was his first meeting with the Baylor coaching staff in months. Baylor hasn't offered and McNeal said he would be surprised if Baylor did. He is scheduling officials visits to Arizona State, UCLA (Sept. 17), Miami (Fla.) and Oklahoma State. He hasn't scheduled a fifth yet.





>Northwestern State should be receiving a decent six figure check from Baylor for Saturday's game at McLane Stadium.




-SicEmSports

Hasty fallout

Admittedly, some of the details of Longview running back JaMycal Hasty's injury are not exactly clear in terms of when he suffered the back issue and how long it lingered before it was addressed.



Longview head coach John King said Thursday that Hasty will be re-evaluated in about six weeks. However, back injuries are very delicate to handle. If anything, the speculation is that Hasty could miss the entire 2014 season. Hasty said it is not a disc issue but wouldn't disclose anything more than that. However, he also wasn't willing to rule out missing the season.



"There is a chance I'll return,'' he said. "Hopefully, sooner than later, but we'll see.''



Obviously, Hasty's situation with Baylor will not be impacted. Once source said that the injury likely occurred earlier in the summer - perhaps as early as spring ball -- and that Hasty may have played through the 7-on-7 season with it. Hasty did not participate in Longview's scrimmage with Ennis last week.



Hasty is the fourth recruit of the 2015 class to suffer a season ending injury at some point during his high school career. The others are Temple quarterback Chad President (knee, 2013), Gilmer athlete Blake Lynch (arm, 2013) and Fort Bend Marshall defensive back Jordan Tolbert (knee, 2014).

-Kevin Lonnquist




Baylor-SMU attendees

Baylor opens McLane Stadium on Sunday in what should be an overflow crowd. This should also summons an impressive list of recruits in attendance. Unlike past lists where names are given, SicEmSports asked the recruits what they're looking forward to the most. Some recruits did not answer. Really, this is just a starting list. There could be others. We will definitely try to add to those throughout the weekend before the start of the game.


>Jordan Tolbert, DB, FB Marshall (Baylor 2015 commit)


>Soso Jamabo, RB, Plano West (Baylor 2015 offer)

>Ronald Jones II, RB, McKinney North (Oklahoma State commit; Baylor offer)

>Erick Fowler, LB, Manor (Baylor 2016 offer)


>Drew Galitz, P/PK, Rowlett (Baylor 2015 commit) - checking out the recruiting room


>Zach Smith, QB, Grandview (Baylor 2016 commit) - checking out the recruiting room



>Malik Jefferson, LB, Mesquite Poteet (Baylor 2015 offer - he's a maybe)


>Devontre Stricklin, WR, Waco Midway (Baylor 2015 commit)


>Corey Dauphine, RB, PA Memorial (Texas Tech commit; Baylor offer -- he's a maybe)


>Tren'Davian Dickson, WR, Navasota (Baylor 2016 commit) - checking out the recruiting room


>Sam Tecklenburg, OL, Plano (Baylor 2015 commit) - just watching Baylor play in the stadium


>Kahlil Haughton, S, Waco Midway (Baylor 2015 offer)


>Jameson Houston, DB, Austin St. Michael's (Baylor 2015 commit - he's a maybe)


>Devin Duvernay, WR, Sachse (Baylor 2016 offer)


>Jared Mayden, DB, Sachse (Baylor 2016 offer)


>Clay Johnston, LB, Abilene Wylie (Baylor 2015 commit)


>Chad President, QB, Temple (Baylor 2015 commit - he's a maybe)


>Eric Cuffee, DB, Waco, (Baylor 2016 interest)


>Parrish Cobb, DB, Waco La Vega (Baylor 2016 interest)


>De'Eriq King, DB/Ath, Manvel (Baylor 2016 offer)


>Austin Myers, OL, Manvel (Baylor 2016 interest)


>Baron Browning, LB, Kennedale (Baylor 2017 offer)


>Jack Anderson, OL, Frisco (Baylor 2017 interest)


>Eno Benjamin, RB, Wylie East (Baylor 2017 interest) - the recruiting room


>C.J. Morgan, RB, Bossier City, LA (Baylor 2016 interest)

-Kevin Lonnquist



JUCO OL ready to visit

Baylor should have a large handful of visitors this weekend. But only one will be on an official visit.

That would be JUCO OT Deya Mhiesen, who's using his first official visit to watch Baylor open McLane Stadium against SMU.

"I'm excited, but then again, it's a business trip," Mhiesen said. "I want to go in there and just see it for myself and experience the environment and atmosphere of the game. I really want to take everything in."

Mhiesen said he's in frequent contact with the Baylor staff, particularly Phil Bennett and Randy Clements. If the staff were to push for a commitment from Mhiesen, he admits he's not sure what he would do. Especially if the visit goes well.

"You never know what will happen," he said. "I could commit, I could wait. I have no idea right now."

We'll definitely be monitoring him during this visit, which begins Saturday before his return trip home on Sunday.

-Jake Shaw



Big 12 Power Rankings

Each week, SicEmSports ranks the Big 12 teams based on expectations and performance. Ratings always vary. Agree or disagree, there's nothing like finding out who is ranked where.

1. Baylor - Expectations for this program are the highest they have ever been

2. Oklahoma - With no Dorial Green-Beckham, the inexperienced wide receiver group must find its way.

3. Kansas State - Veteran Tyler Lockett may be the most exciting player to watch in the Big 12 this year.

4. Texas - Suspensions, dismissals and questions at QB are the theme in Austin this fall

5. Texas Tech - Davis Webb has the starting QB job. He has to prove he's one of the best.

6. Oklahoma State - A very young Cowboys team faces a daunting task against No. 1 and reigning national champion Florida State.

7. TCU - Gary Patterson non-committal about his starting QB but says both Matt Joeckel and Trevone Boykin will play.

8. West Virginia - The Mountaineers welcome the challenge facing No. 2 Alabama. It may get brutal in the Georgia Dome.

9. Iowa State - Cyclones play a team (North Dakota St.) on a 24-game winning streak

10. Kansas - The make or break year for Charlie Weis gets another week to prepare for it

-Kevin Lonnquist




Big 12 Weekend

A look at Saturday and Sunday's action. All times are central. Kansas is off this week.


North Dakota St. at Iowa State

11:00 a.m., Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA (FOX Sports 1)

The Skinny: The reigning FCS champion Bison come in to Ames riding a 24-game winning streak. Remember they opened the season by winning at Kansas State last year. The Cyclones are trying to make up for some heavy graduation losses but won their last two Big 12 games in 2013. Sam Richardson won a hotly contested QB battle in fall camp.


West Virginia vs. No. 2 Alabama

2:30 p.m., Georgia Dome, Atlanta (ABC/ESPN)

The skinny: This the first meeting between these two programs. The Crimson Tide has yet to settle on a starting quarterback. Head coach Nick Saban said both Jacob Coker and Blake Sims will get reps. For the Mountaineers, this daunting challenge starts with starting quarterback Clint Trickett playing at an extremely high level and finding a hot running back.


Stephen F. Austin at No 20/21 Kansas State

6:00 p.m., Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Manhattan, KS (KStateHDTV)

The skinny: Jake Waters is now the quarterback of this offense. The Wildcats should be the quiet contender for the Big 12 championship, especially with a defense led by preseason all-Big 12 defensive end Ryan Mueller. What KSU wants to avoid is a repeat of 2013 when it lost to FCS North Dakota State.


Louisiana Tech at No. 3/4 Oklahoma

6:00 p.m. Memorial Stadium, Norman, OK (FOX PPV)

The skinny: For all of the momentum that QB Trevor Knight had in the offseason, he needs help from finding an established playmaker at running back and at wide receiver. Both positions have several candidates. Oklahoma's defense is very strong with nine returning starters including linebacker Eric Striker. Because his situation hasn't changed, linebacker Frank Shannon will not start the season with the program.


Samford at TCU

6:00 p.m. Amon Carter Stadium, Fort Worth (FSN)

The skinny: Another Big 12 vs. FCS matchup. The Horned Frogs need to find an offensive identity as soon as possible. There has not been any separation at the QB position between Matt Joeckel and Trevone Boykin. Defensively, the Horned Frogs should be as good as always at defensive line and linebacker. There is youth in the secondary.


Central Arkansas at Texas Tech

6:00 p.m. AT&T Jones Stadium, Lubbock (FSN)

The skinny: Kliff Kingsbury begins year 2 of the "cool era" with his QB position settled with sophomore Davis Webb. The defense still remains something to monitor. Finally this program is running the same system for the second consecutive year. That has happened in a while. Kenny Williams has been announced as a starting linebacker after moving over from the offense. However, Kingsbury said Williams could see time at running back.


Oklahoma State vs. No. 1/1 Florida State

7:00 p.m. AT&T Stadium, Arlington (ABC)

The skinny: This looks like a mismatch. The young Cowboys are probably going to play nearly two dozen young men who have either had no or little Division I playing time. J.W. Walsh is the starting quarterback for the team but needs to be a polished passed. For the reigning national champion Seminoles, QB Jameis Winston comes in looking to extend his hot streak. OSU has played AT&T several times. This is Florida State's first trip. These teams have met four other times, the last time was in the 1985 Gator Bowl. FSU, 34-23.


North Texas at No. 24 Texas

7:00 p.m. Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin (LHN)

The skinny: Charlie Strong's first game at Texas' coach. The roster has seen quite a bit of shuffling between transfers and dismissals. But the good news is that QB David Ash seems to be healthy as does RB Johnathan Gray. Texas' running game should be good. The defensive line has one of the Big 12's best in Cedric Reed.





SUNDAY

SMU at No. 10/10 Baylor

6:30 p.m. McLane Stadium, Waco (FOX Sports 1)

The Skinny: Baylor returns to playing football on its campus for the first time in 78 years. The Bears are thinking repeat as Big 12 champions and to be in the Final Four conversation. The defensive line - led by Andrew Billings, Shawn Oakman and Javonte Magee - could be the best in Waco ever. SMU is starting Neal Burcham at QB but one-time Texas A&M standout Matt Davis could be called upon. This all-time series record is 36-36-7 but SMU hasn't beaten Baylor since 1985.

-SicEmSports





Emptying the notebook

>In his debut with Gilmer, Baylor commit Blake Lynch scored three touchdowns in the Buckeyes' 55-16 rout of Texarkana Liberty-Eylau on Thursday. He did not play any offense after the first quarter. He shared with us that his touchdowns came on plays of 2, 55 and 30 yards. Those were his only touches of the game.

>Dallas Madison 2015 guard Admon Gilder has set his official visit to Baylor on Sept. 6 and will watch the football team play play Northwestern State.


>Everything is still good to go with Texas Titans forward D.J. Hogg and teammate and Baylor guard commit King McClure to take their official visits this weekend. There had been some concern about Hogg's visit since center and teammate Tyler Davis committed to Texas A&M last weekend. There is still some serious thought Hogg will follow Davis. Only time will tell.


>We could find out this weekend how Baylor is going to treat the situation with Bossier City (LA) Parkway DB C.J. Morgan. It's hard to know if Baylor will offer him, but the picture should become much more clear.


>He doesn't do interviews but Rowlett P/PK Drew Galitz said he was very excited committing to Baylor on Tuesday

-Kevin Lonnquist

NOTE: Like there was last Saturday, there really seems to be a small to possibly no recruit gathering for Baylor's closed scrimmage at 6:30 p.m. Friday at McLane Stadium.

The only one who we have spoken with who may be heading over there is Waco Midway 2015 safety Kahlil Haughton. Maybe his teammate and Baylor WR commit Devontre Stricklin will join him.

Given that there are so many scrimmages on Friday across Texas that eliminates just about any recruit who has been offered by or has an interest in Baylor of trying to attend. Of course, the season opener is Aug. 31 against SMU so there should be a large group.



Zach Smith: Scouting report

Thursday night, I got my first real good look at Grandview (Texas) 2016 Rivals250 quarterback and Baylor commitment Zach Smith. It was a scrimmage so let's not get too over the top here. But he looked pretty solid.


The first thing that catches the eye is his size. He's a legit 6-4 and right now he checks in at about 210 pounds. He has a really nice frame to add onto and word is he still has a couple of more inches to grow. He passes the eyeball test.


Watching him warm up you can see he has some pretty nice arm strength. In fact the talk on the sidelines was about his 70-yard pass he threw during the first week of practice. He can put it out there. He was light on his feet. He kept the ball high. He has a pretty quick release. He can put some real zip on the ball or he can throw with touch.


Now once it came to live action there was some good and some bad. He took a sack early (they blew the play dead). He stared down a few receivers. He had a few wobblers out there as he put the ball down the field. He needs to get more consistent with his deep ball. On the positive side he did fit the ball into a real tight window over the middle early in scrimmage play. Most of the time, he was decisive and made good decisions. He showed the ability to get some good air under his deep ball and get it down the field allowing his receivers to run under it in stride.


Of the quarterbacks Baylor has recruited under Art Briles he compares most to Bryce Petty. I would say he's a more advanced thrower than Petty was at this point in high school. He's not as stout as Petty, but he is taller. Neither are what I would call big playmakers with their feet but they are both capable of making plays with their feet (if that makes any sense.) I guess what I'm trying to say is you're not going to be mistaking him for Robert Griffin III or Braxton Miller or someone like that.


There is a lot to like in Smith. I would've liked to see him display more of his arm strength and place the ball a little bit better, but there are a lot of positives and Grandview's offense is very similar to what Baylor does. It was also pretty cool to hear the Zach Smith stories on the sidelines. It seemed like every observer had a good one whether it was football or his leadership or in baseball where he was a pitcher and a shortstop. Enough of that though, back to the topic.


On the night I had him completing 12 of his 21 passes for 293 yards and 3 touchdowns and he had several incompletions hit his receivers in the hands. He threw deep, he threw screens, he went over the middle and he ran some zone read. There was some good stuff there.


The JV and Varsity for Venus and Grandview alternated during the first part of the scrimmage. The JV went against the JV and then each varsity squad got reps against the other varsity squad. I had Smith at 5 for 8 and 120 yards and a TD at the end of that period. Then the varsity squads played two quarters. It started off kind of rough with a 3-and-out on Grandview's first series. They did pick it up and get going though.


Overall it was a great way to kick off the football season, and see a promising young quarterback. On Friday, I should get to see another promising young 2016 QB in Shane Buechele so it will be nice to see them on consecutive nights.

-Jason Howell



Tiny but mighty

You may look at Jay'Onn Myles and believe he is too small to play Division I football. He looks at it as an opportunity.

The Piece C.C. defensive back (5-8, 173) has a verbal offer from Baylor and hopes that should defensive coordinator Phil Bennett visit the weekend of Sept. 20 (Baylor's bye week), that offer will be solidified.

As a speedster in the 4.45 range, Myles met Bennett back in the spring and came away with a great impression of him and of Baylor. He immediately went back to his dorm room and researched Baylor and Bennett.

"It was crazy to even know that Baylor was out here,'' Myles said. "They have so many schools and players out in Texas, I just didn't think they would come out there. But when I walked into my coaches office, I saw this coach [Bennett] wearing a Baylor green shirt. We had a great conversation.''

Myles said he and Bennett hit it off because they spoke of their sense of loss. Bennett lost his wife Nancy to a tragic lightning strike accident back in 1999 when he was at Kansas State. Myles recently lost his grandfather.

Despite his size, Myles is a playmaker. In 2013, he collected 26 tackles, four interceptions and four pass breakups. And he was always giving up size to his opposition.

"I don't look at 5-8 as a factor,'' Myles said. "It doesn't affect my confidence. If I'm going against a guy that's 6-3, I know he's going to make his catches, but I'm going to make my plays too. I'm a competitor. I may be what I am, but I feel like I play like 5-11 or 6-1.''

Myles could be viewed as a dangerous return man. But Baylor could also be looking at him as a nickel back candidate. Pierce plays a formation similar to Baylor's 4-2-5. Myles said he rotated between cornerback and nickel back last year and expects to do it again this year.

Myles is December graduate and would be able to join his program of choice in January.
-Kevin Lonnquist




Scrimmage report: Blake Lynch

The Gilmer athlete said he played mostly on defense in Thursday's scrimmage against Kilgore. Lynch said Gilmer won the scrimmage.

Lynch said he felt pretty comfortable in the secondary. He collected two pass breakups and didn't allow a receiver to collect a reception on him.

He also said that he believes he will probably start both ways at wide receiver and safety when the season begins. Gilmer opens the 2014 campaign next against Texarkana Libery-Eylau at 7:30 p.m. next Thursday in Gilmer.

-Kevin Lonnquist




Gilder talks Top 6

Dallas Madison guard Admon Gilder, the No. 62 recruit in the 2015 Rivals 150, named a top six Thursday of Baylor, Oklahoma State, Texas, SMU, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M.

For him, all six had two common denominators.

"Every coach that I've talked with will help me in my development,'' Gilder said. "I think any system I go in, it's going to fit me and I can make an impact.''

Gilder said he texted with Baylor assistant Jerome Tang on Wednesday to talk about official visit dates. Nothing is set, but Gilder said he is looking at the weekend of Sept. 19.

Although that would be Baylor's bye week, he's not going there to watch a football game. He's going there to learn if Baylor would surge to the lead. Gilder said he wants to sign in November before the 2014-15 high school season.

Through his dealings with Baylor, Gilder said he has appreciated the honesty with which the coaches have handled the recruitment. There have been multiple conversations between him and Tang throughout the spring and summer contact periods. Gilder did not get to Waco for an unofficial visit.

"Coach [Scott] Drew is very knowledgeable, and they always keep it real,'' Gilder said. "They let me know who they are recruiting and what they need to recruit me harder or anything else. What I like about Baylor is that they have great shooters who have come through their program.''

This has been a pretty tumultuous time for Madison's program. Because of a recruiting scandal in the spring that resulted in the death of a player, head coach Roderick Johnson was fired. Earlier this week, the also UIL stripped the Trojans of their consecutive 2012 and 2013 Class 3A state titles.

"I've accepted it because there's nothing I can do about it,'' Gilder said. "I'm looking at other [transfer] options. But for now it's looking like I'll be staying at Madison.''

-Kevin Lonnquist




Big 12: The 2014 season tour

Since there are lists out there by anyone who has an opinion of the Big 12 and wants to share a list of the most significant Big 12 games, this figures to be the time to do it for SicEmSports to do it.


We present these in the matter of date:

1. Oklahoma St. vs. Florida St., Aug. 30, AT&T Stadium, Arlington: The Cowboys are going to be heavy underdogs in this game. But this is also the time for them to show the reigning national champions that they can stay with them. Cowboys quarterback J.W. Walsh will face a defense filled with NFL prospects.

2. Arkansas vs. Texas Tech, Sept. 13, AT&T Jones Stadium, Lubbock: While the Razorbacks are still rebuilding under Bret Bielema, this is still going to be a name opponent that the Red Raiders must beat for the good of the conference. And to be sure, this will be the first test for quarterback Davis Webb.

3. UCLA vs. Texas, Sept. 13, AT&T Stadium, Arlington: New Texas coach Charlie Strong will have a major challenge against the Bruins who many believe can be in the conversation for the Final Four playoffs. UCLA is led by talented quarterback Brett Hundley. Texas is trying to find out how good it really is.

4. Auburn at Kansas State, Sept. 18, Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Manhattan, KS: Another great non-conference test for the Big 12. The national finalists should have QB Nick Marshall back. But if the Big 12 wants to send a message to the SEC and playoff selection committee about its worthiness of putting a team in the Final Four, winning this game matters.

5. Texas Tech at Oklahoma State, Sept. 25, Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK: These games between the Red Raiders and Cowboys are always interesting. The winner of this one presents itself as someone who could be in the Big 12 championship conversation.

6. Baylor at Texas, Oct. 4, Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium, Austin: This is a game that Texas fans have been pointing to since last December since Baylor won the 2013 Big 12 championship against the Longhorns. Baylor has won three of the last four and can't afford an upset.

7. TCU at Baylor, Oct. 11, McLane Stadium, Waco: One of college football's oldest rivalries resumes for the 110th meeting. This is Baylor's Big 12 McLane Stadium home opener. The Horned Frogs are consistently a stout defensive team.

8. Texas vs. Oklahoma, Oct. 11, Cotton Bowl, Dallas: The Red River Showdown always draws national attention. Texas won this game in Mack Brown's final appearance. The Sooners should be the better team based on a defense that is led by linebacker Eric Striker.

9. Kansas State at Oklahoma, Oct. 18, Memorial Stadium, Norman, OK: The teacher-student revival between Bill Snyder and Bob Stoops returns. By this time we should know if Oklahoma QB Trevor Knight is just as good as advertised from last year's performance against Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.

10. Texas at Texas Tech, Nov. 1, AT&T Jones Stadium, Lubbock: The South Plains always presents a case of the bizarre for the Longhorns when they visit. They won in Lubbock two years ago. Tech must answer if it has the running game to help the passing game.

11. Baylor at Oklahoma, Nov. 8, Memorial Stadium, Norman, OK: Is this the unofficial Big 12 championship game? Based on the preseason polls, it would suggest that it is. The location of this game is likely the reason why more media favored Oklahoma to win the Big 12 over the Bears. Now, we'll find out. Baylor has never won in Norman.

12. Oklahoma State at Baylor, Nov. 22, McLane Stadium, Waco: In 2012, Baylor finally snapped a 6-game losing streak to the Cowboys. The 2013 meeting was a mess for the Bears in Stillwater. But if Baylor is in the national championship picture by now, it's a must win.

13. TCU at Texas, Nov. 27, Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin: This is the season finale for the Longhorns on Thanksgiving. Either Texas fans will be celebrating a solid first year under Charlie Strong or they will wonder. The same could be said for TCU and its future.

14. Oklahoma State at Oklahoma, Dec. 6, Memorial Stadium, Norman, OK: Bedlam has had its share of great finishes including last year when the Sooners scored in the final seconds to pull it out in Stillwater. Maybe the Cowboys have something up their sleeve to return the favor.

15. Kansas State at Baylor, Dec. 6, McLane Stadium, Waco: If this is for the Big 12 championship, then this should be a dandy because the Bears have played up to expectations and the Wildcats have fulfilled the thoughts as being the darkhorse. This has the look of a great final weekend in the Big 12.

-SicEmSports



Emptying the notebook

>Still no work on 2014 offensive line signee Devonte Jones' status. Baylor's fall semester begins Monday. So this is a day-by-day process. It wouldn't be the first time Baylor has had a player join the program after the school year has starter. Even had Jones arrived in the summer, he still would have been likely redshirted.


>This may or may not be anything but when touching base with Port Arthur Memorial RB Corey Dauphine about whether he was invited to Baylor's 2014 opener, he said no. Dauphine said last month he was "100 percent" committed to Texas Tech but we also heard rumblings that Baylor was still going to push. That may or may not still be the case. We do believe that Texas A&M's interest in Dauphine could be more of a second option role.


>It was going to be a Texas Titans reunion next weekend in Waco. In addition to forward D.J. Hogg, point guard King McClure, who committed to Baylor in April, is joining his teammates for his official visit as well. Tyler Davis was scheduled to join them but don't look for that now since he verbally committed to Texas A&M on Friday.


>Nothing really changed for the rest of Baylor's 2015 recruits as far as their ratings were concerned. Austin St. Michael's DB Jameson Houston remained at a 2-star recruit with a 5.4 rating. The same was for Austin Westlake linebacker Breckyn Hager. Each has a chance to improve his rating should he perform at a higher level this season. The final round of ratings should come out in December. The rest of the recruits remained at 3 stars.


>Baylor continues to stay in touch with Southlake Carroll 2016 DB Obi Eboh. It's more along the lines of a temperature check. That's still a case where Baylor will want to evaluate 2016 game film to get a better evaluation.

-SicEmSports

NOTE: The Rivals analysts met earlier this week to put together their latest round of rankings for the 2015 recruits.



All of Baylor's 11 commits were evaluated. The results of the Rivals 100 and 250 will be known at 11 a.m. Monday and Tuesday. There shouldn't be much drama for the rating. Their top three recruits, Temple quarterback Chad President (No. 93) should probably stay in the 100. But if he doesn't my belief is that he will be around 105. Longview running back JaMycal Hasty (No. 210) should probably be in about the same position. I also expect the same for Gilmer athlete Blake Lynch (No. 192). Basically, these three will finish in the 250 by the time Feb. 4, 2015 arrives.



As for the others, the ones to watch, Keller Fossil Ridge safety Montrel Wilson did move up a 3-star recruit (5.5), so he should stay there. Austin St. Michael's defensive back Jameson Houston is borderline to move up to 3-star. He's at a 5.4 rating. It could go either way and it may take the Rivals staff watching him play in 2014 to move him up. I do not expect Austin Westlake linebacker Breckyn Hager to move up. But his position will be like Houston's. Another season could give him that extra tenth.



Just keep in mind, Baylor's 2014 class is going to finish with around 15 commits. So that few a number is going to impact the overall team ranking. Currently, Baylor is No. 41.



-Kevin Lonnquist





President reflects on signing



Temple quarterback Chad President has two firsts with Baylor. He was the first to commit to the Bears (April 27, 2013) and is now the first to sign any documents formalizing his relationship with the program.



Baylor announced President signed his financial aid documents on Wednesday. President has fully recovered from a torn ACL he suffered ironically at Floyd Casey Stadium in September 2013.



"First of all, he's a good player and comes from a great system,'' Baylor coach Art Briles said. "Anytime you know what you're getting before Christmas it's good. You don't have to open the package to see what's in there. We know we're getting him, so that's a good thing.''



President he was surprised to see the documents arrive at his house recently. But Baylor took advantage of an NCAA rule that allows programs to sign mid-semester enrollees to financial aid agreements starting Aug. 1.



"Just seeing how much it cost to attend Baylor for one semester is crazy,'' he said. "I'm just so blessed. This is just like getting married. You make it official and can finally relax because you have your future set.''



With Stephenville QB and Texas Tech commit Jarret Stidham also signing his financial aid agreement with the Red Raiders on Thursday, President is considered the quarterback of this class.



"It's a wise decision for him and a great pickup for us,'' Briles said. "He's just a great athlete and a leader, and a guy we think has a tremendous amount of upside. That's what you look for. I don't want a guy who's peaked out. You want something in the tank. He's a guy with a great future in front of him because of his work ethic and his talent level.



I'm a proponent of the new (Aug. 1) rule without question.''



But December is four months away. That is a bit sobering for President who will leave his childhood years behind pretty soon.



"Yeah I think about it,'' he said. "Sometimes, I get excited and sometimes I don't want it to move fast.''



As we mentioned, we believe Gilmer's Blake Lynch should follow President soon unless there is something regarding his ability to enroll in January that hasn't been resolved.



-Kevin Lonnquist








Fall Camp Observations



Beginning Friday (Aug. 15), Baylor is going to close its practices to the media and public (aside from the first 15 minutes). This is about the time where the coaching staff starts implementing the more sensitive phases of the offense and defense.



That said, here's what we've learned through the first two weeks:




>The starting left guard position is still open between Blake Muir and LaQuan McGowan. It may go down to the week of the opener before Art Briles names his starter. I still think that's going to be Muir.




>WR Corey Coleman's hamstring issue is something to watch but not brood over just yet. This is his second hamstring injury since he arrived at Baylor. As we mentioned in a thread, the only way you're going to know where Coleman is the week of the SMU game. If he is practicing by then, he should be OK to play against the Mustangs.




>Unless there is just this overwhelming performance by Patrick Levels, everything points to senior Collin Brence keeping the starting nickel back position.




>Aside from the minor injuries - over the years training staffs have been more cautious and there really isn't the urgency to bring players back to practice because the sport has become a yearlong event -- and DE Sam Ukwuachu's absence from this roster (he's still with the program), this really has been a quiet camp. The players seem to have a pretty good grasp of what's expected this year and maintained some focus.




>While not much has been said about the running backs Shock Linwood and Devin Chafin, there really doesn't need to be. Linwood looks so much bigger in the upper body especially in the shoulder. And although I've maintained the Baylor would rather redshirt RB Terence Williams, he could see the field against SMU in a change of pace type of situation.




>Maybe all Baylor players wearing numbers five and below should switch numbers. Consider the irony - No. 1 WR Coleman (hamstring), No. 2 RB Johnny Jefferson (knee ligament strain), No. 3 WR Robbie Rhodes (dismissed from the program), No. 4 Jay Lee (hamstring) and No. 5 WR Antwan Goodley (quad). BTW, No. 6 is walkon QB Andrew Frerking.





Fuller eyeing a fall visit



Aaron Fuller wants to play in an offense that throws the ball -- a lot. That's why the 2016 Lucas Lovejoy receiver is so interested in Baylor.




"They've been a good team lately, so I really like them," Fuller told me this week. "They throw the ball a lot, so that would be a good place to show off my talent."




At 5-11, 170, Fuller knows who he is. He's a slot guy that's best used between the hashes so that he can take advantage of a speed difference between him and safeties and linebackers. He mentioned seeing Tevin Reese play for Baylor and said he could fill a similar role.




So far, only SMU has offered, and he puts the Mustangs in his top three with Baylor and TCU. He plans to visit all of them this season, saying "I'll definitely find a Baylor game to go to."




Baylor does have one 2016 commitment from a receiver, (Tren Dickson), but if Fuller has a breakout year, he could get Baylor's attention. Baylor already firmly has his.



- Jake Shaw








McLane Stadium Dress Rehearsal



Baylor's football team will have a scrimmage Saturday at its new home. It is closed to the media and the general public. However, there will be one pool reporter (Jerry Hill from the athletic department web site) who will cover it.



While the football program has given dozens of tours to 2015 and 2016 recruits, this will be the first time for recruits to watch the team in action.



At this point, there will likely be a small gathering for this event. Sachse 2016 WR Devin Duvernay, who was thought to be able to go, said Thursday that he cannot because Sachse has a scrimmage.



Waco Midway products, 2015 WR commit Devontre Stricklin and S Kahlil Haughton were invited but said they could not because Midway will be practicing. There are other players unable to go because of practice or media days.



However, the three that have told SicEmSports they planned on going or are looking to go are:



>Waco LaVega 2016 DB Parrish Cobb




>Waco 2016 DB Eric Cuffee




>Keller Fossil Ridge 2015 S commit Montrel Wilson (he said he's trying to figure out how to get there).



We'll try to find out more as Friday turns into Saturday and keep you informed as best we can. As always, these things are fluid.



-Kevin Lonnquist








Tolbert's recovery



It's been about three months since Fort Bend Marshall defensive back Jordan Tolbert tore his right ACL.



But he took an important step in his recovery on Wednesday. He started jogging. For someone who is coming off major surgery in mid-June, it demonstrates how fast he has progressed through the rehab. Don't be surprised if he's running by October or November. That would be about the same timeframe that Temple quarterback Chad President was on after he tore his ACL in September 2013. President was running by late February of this year.



"I was surprised,'' Tolbert said. "It was kinda weird, but I got used to it.''



Tolbert said he plans on going to Baylor's 2014 opener against SMU. His rehab has been intense comprised of leg presses, squats, one-leg squats, chair squats and step up/step downs on the box.



Tolbert said he was really encouraged by the way his recovery has been progressing. He said he's sometimes going twice a day. In today's game, coming back from an ACL injury isn't the death sentence it used to be. However, Tolbert is still expected to miss the entire 2014 season.



-Kevin Lonnquist








Norwood in touch with Kelley



Baylor's already scored one commitment from a 2016 recruit from Pflugerville in Hendrickson DB KeShawn Somerville. The staff is in talks with another player from that town, 2016 Pflugerville safety Louis Kelley, who has visited Baylor before with Somerville.




"He's been talking up Baylor to me," Kelley told me this week.




So has Baylor. Led by Brian Norwood, the staff keeps in touch with the three-star prospect. They chatted on Tuesday of this week, Kelley said, and are trying to find a good weekend for Kelley to come back to Waco for a visit.




There's no offer yet, but that could change when the staff sees more film on him.




"He's telling me I would be a hybrid safety type," Kelley said. "He like my film and wants to see me play this season."



-Jake Shaw





A poker game of offers



You may remember Bossier City (LA) Parkway defensive back C.J. Morgan coming to Baylor's camp in Marshall.




There was a lot of interaction between Baylor defensive coordinator Phil Bennet and Morgan. Morgan admitted he probably pressed that day. Baylor remains in communication but an offer may only come depending on what LSU does. If LSU offers, Baylor may not.



A source said LSU has told Morgan that it will offer. But the source also said Morgan doesn't have his heart set on going to LSU. He has picked up some quality offers from Nebraska, UCLA and Mississippi State.



Just keep an eye on this drama. One of the major question marks on Morgan is his height as he stands 5-9. College football is moving to the desire to push for taller defensive backs. So what he's lacking in height, Morgan has to make up for his height with ability, recovery speed and how he can break on the football.








Emptying the notebook



>Mesquite Poteet LB Malik Jefferson said he hasn't set his other two official visits yet and isn't sure when he will announce them. He will take official visits to UCLA, Ohio State and Stanford but hasn't finalized dates. When asked if all five will be out of state, Jefferson said, "Maybe all out of state." So that leaves the door slightly opened for something to happen in Texas.




>Now that he can play for Gilmer this fall, Blake Lynch he expects to play quarterback, running back, safety, wide receiver and safety.




>Baylor 2016 BB commit Mark Vital will remain at Prime Prep Academy in South Dallas while the school is having the appeal of its charter reviewed. The school will remain open - it appears for the 2014-15 season - until a decision is rendered.




>Hope, AR 2016 defensive tackle McTelvin Agim - remember he's good friends with Baylor wide receiver Davion Hall - said Thursday he does plan to try and make one of Baylor's games this fall. He hasn't decided on which game yet.




>Rockwall running back Chris Warren said earlier in the week that he was going to postpone his finalists announcement. But it doesn't affect Baylor anyway. His mother said Baylor didn't send an official offer letter. That's really not a surprise. Baylor had not been tracking Warren for several months.




>The Associated Press' preseason Top 25 poll is expected to be released Sunday. Baylor should be ranked anywhere between 8-12. The Bears are ranked No. 10 in the coaches preseason poll.



-SicEmSports

This post was edited on 8/19 3:54 PM by K Lonnquist

This post was edited on 8/27 8:47 AM by K Lonnquist

Haughton follow up

Waco Midway 2015 S Kahlil Haughton stunned Baylor, Arkansas, Duke, Oklahoma and Texas Tech fans by announcing he was going to postpone his decision until after he takes his official visits.

He said he was ready to commit until talks with his parents this week convinced him to take them without having to make a decision. Had he committed, Haughton said he still would have taken them. But clearer thinking prevailed.

"Doing officials was something I was really looking forward to,'' he said. "And after discussing with my parents this week, we thought taking visits while being committed would cause problems. They also believed taking officials would help give me a better view of what I actually liked or didn't like. It would help me to be positive about my decision.''

On Aug. 1, Haughton tweeted he was going to announce his decision on Aug. 8. He visited Oklahoma twice, Texas Tech twice, Arkansas and Duke once each and Baylor numerous occasions including Thursday's practice.

"The official visits always have been important, but my plan was to take them while being committed,'' Haughton said. "But by doing that it didn't seem like the smart and loyal thing to do.''

As we reported, Haughton said he has scheduled an official visit to Oklahoma on Sept. 13 and is working with Arkansas and Texas Tech on dates. He said he doesn't plan on taking an official to Baylor because he knows the campus and the coaching staff so well.

Now, a decision that seemed imminent is months away. Still, it's probably a pretty safe bet all five finalists will wait for him.

-Kevin Lonnquist



Browning came close

In his young life Baron Browning learned through his grandfather that character counts.

"He's always preached to me to be a man of your word,'' Browning said. "Once you say something, you better stick by it.''

So in the aftermath of Baylor offering Kennedale 2017 linebacker in early June, Browning said he was pretty close to committing to the Bears. But he heeded the words of his grandfather and used a "cooling off" period to get a handle on everything.

Still, his interest with Baylor remains strong. He went to Baylor's practice on Thursday. It definitely was an eye-opener.

"They do everything fast tempo, and they were going after each other pretty hard,'' Browning said. "It was a lot different than what I expected. I could tell they had everything planned out and kept on schedule. I liked it.''

Browning reiterated he plans on returning to Baylor for the Aug. 31 McLane Stadium opener against SMU. There's an outside chance he will return for another practice. Until now, he's just focusing on the season. He's also picked up offers from Arkansas and Oklahoma State.

"I did a lot over the summer working on my technique and my [pursuit] angles, so I think I'm ready,'' he said. "I just realized that I have plenty of time to look at everything.''

-Kevin Lonnquist



For Hines, a first

Plano East 2017 linebacker Anthony Hines liked what he saw from Baylor's practice earlier this week. But he was even more impressed with the lifting session prior to the practice, his father Anthony said.

"It was his first chance to watch a college lift,'' the elder Hines said. "He's a workout guy and is in the gym quite a bit. So it was pretty great for him to see it all. It wasn't so much how much they were putting on the bar but the intensity that came with it.''

The linebacker, who picked up his 49th Division I offer from UT-San Antonio last week, paid strict attention to strength and conditioning coach Kaz Kazadi before moving out to the practice. He followed Baylor linebackers coach Jim Gush throughout and watched the way Gush interacted with his position players.

Hines is still committed to Mississippi State but the family made it clear to that coaching staff that he was going to continue to visit. The staff told the family it was good with that.

This is the final week for Hines to make visits. Before Baylor, he went to Oklahoma State on Tuesday, will see TCU on Friday and Texas A&M on Saturday. But he does plan to visit Baylor for its season opener against SMU on Aug. 31.

"He's handling this attention better than his mother and I,'' the elder Hines said. "He's a really bright kid and is wise beyond his years. When he's taking these visits, he's really watching the practices and how the coaches coach and then see how the players respond to the instruction.''

-Kevin Lonnquist



First week of camp impressions

You really don't know a lot about a football team until it breaks out in pads. That's when it becomes real. But know this team to the extent like we hope we do and just getting impressions from other sources, here are some observations.


>This could be the fastest team ever in Baylor history. We talked about the incoming freshman wide receiver class. But when you add up the speed from the 2012 and 2013 classes from all positions, this group has speed that could rival any SEC team.


>The references to quarterback Seth Russell's maturity with the offense and ability to take over at a moment's notice is something that people can rest a little easier about. It should since he's no longer on the crash course that he was in 2013. Russell seems to get what the coaches are asking. His velocity may not be that of Bryce Petty but there is a good sense that he can handle and be comfortable in 2015 when he would be the presumed starter.


>There had been several instances where the running game has had frustrations against the Baylor defensive line. What that should tell you is how good this front can be in 2014. The depth at tackle is exceptional between Andrew Billings, Byron Bonds, Beau Blackshear and swingman Javonte Magee who will also probably play a lot of defensive end. There is enough depth there to make this one of the elite units in the country. You just don't possess depth like this because you are fortunate. Baylor recruited for it.


>As I was told, "time will tell" on the return of DE Sam Ukwuachu. The good news is that he hasn't left the program a la what happened with Magee last year.


>If you're looking for true freshmen candidates to play this year, the money would fall directly on wide receivers KD Cannon and Davion Hall. But don't be surprised if the other two could be athlete Jourdan Blake and running back Terence Williams. With the latter two, Baylor may be poised to not declare anything formal on a redshirt for either during the season. The coaching staff could handle it like it did with Bonds in 2013. Bonds was told he was playing against West Virginia. Blake and Williams may just go through the season and not play but could be used if and when the moment arises.


>On a personal note, it would be interesting to see how Baylor wants to incorporate its tight ends into this offense this year. Yes, tight ends never catch the ball. Between Jordan Navjar and Jerod Monk caught 12 passes. I think there is better athleticism between Tre'Von Armstead and Gus Penning. I think that number could go to 30 receptions. That doesn't sound like much but that would be more than double in 2013.

-Kevin Lonnquist



2015 recruiting reset

So Kahlil Haughton didn't pick Baylor. But he didn't pick anyone, either.


The about face by the Waco Midway safety, who planned to commit Friday but decided to wait, puts him in the minority of 2015 prospects with Baylor offers. Haughton is one of just 23 recruits who have received Baylor offers but have not committed to a program so far. That's 23 out of 80 prospects with Baylor offers (including Baylor commitments), or just less than 30 percent.


With Haughton still in play -- for Baylor as well as its competitors -- this seemed like a good time for a refresher on Baylor's 2015 class, which currently stands at 11 commitments. We expect Baylor to sign around 15 players, so with only four spots available, expect the staff to be very judicious with any new offers.


Unless Baylor can pry Jarrett Stidham away from Texas Tech, the Bears are done recruiting quarterbacks.


That's not the case with running back. Three uncommitted RBs have offers -- including two players, Tyreik Gray and Chris Warren -- who have both been very complimentary of Baylor lately. But Baylor seems more focused on Soso Jamabo, who would give Baylor a "big back" to pair with the commitment of JaMycal Hasty. While Corey Dauphine remains committed to Texas Tech, we don't believe Baylor will stop working on that.


Like quarterback, receiver appears to be done as well. Ryan Newsome has ruled out Baylor (that could viewed as vice versa), while Cordell Broadus is a very long shot. There's a chance Baylor has stopped recruiting him as well. Those are the only two uncommitted receivers with Baylor offers.


Baylor has an offer out to Arkansas TE Will Gragg, but the Bears didn't make his top six, so don't expect to see a tight end in this class.


Getting offensive line commitments to go with the two current pledges probably comes down to two JUCO products: Dominic Desouza and Deya Mhiesen. Both have scheduled official visits to Waco. If Mhiesen were to commit on his official opening weekend, he might be the last O-linemen Baylor takes in this class. There's also an offer to Arlington Bowie's Madison Akamnonu, but he left Baylor out of his recent top two, as well as Coppell's Connor Williams.


Only one defensive lineman with a Baylor offer remains, Bishop Dunne's Darrion Daniels. Expect Baylor to continue pursuit of him. It's hard to believe Baylor could take one or none in this class, but Baylor's current D-line makes this position less of a priority.


Four linebackers are still on the market looking for a program. Baylor, for now, has all its eggs in the Malik Jefferson basket, pursuing him far more than the other three available linebackers. With two commitments already at this position, it's not a big need, but getting Jefferson would be huge to say the least.


A whopping six cornerbacks have Baylor offers but haven't committed yet. It seems Baylor is really high on just two of them: Kendall Sheffield and Holton Hill. On Thursday, Sheffield named Baylor to the 12 schools he was considering. Not coincidentally, the only safety remaining on the board is Haughton. He's definitely one of Baylor's top 2-3 priorities, if not the top.


There's one "athlete" still available, JW Ketchum, but it appears Baylor has moved on. And that's really it for the 2015 targets. If Baylor fills its final four (or more) spots with guys from this list, this class will be small but loaded with quality. However, don't be surprised to see more offers going out during the 2014 football season, which could change Baylor's strategy even more.

-Jake Shaw



Odomes likes Baylor

Copperas Cove 2015 3-star guard Rashard Odomes isn't ready to narrow his college choices yet but said he will soon.

The 6-5 guard has scheduled official visits to Oklahoma (Aug. 30) and Oklahoma State (Sept. 6). There's a chance Baylor could be one of those. At least, there's a good relationship building between both sides.

"I'm really interested in Baylor,'' Odomes said. "The coaches said they like the way I drive strong to the basket and the energy I bring on defense.''

Odomes is coming off a very impressive summer with his AAU team, D1 Ambassadors. Like a lot of young players, Odomes has a good feel for attacking the rim. However, he still has to working on his shooting. He does plan to sign in November.

We will keep you posted should he schedule a visit to Baylor. Of course, with the commitment of JUCO 7-foot center Joseph Acuil, there's about two more spots left for the 2015 class.

-SicEmSports



NCAA Power 5 autonomy fallout

With the NCAA Division I board of directors allowing the 65 schools - the five power leagues and Notre Dame - to create their own rules, the next thing is for the leagues to start moving toward creating their own legislation. That could start as early as Oct. 1. It's pretty much a given that the 75 non-power schools won't override this ruling because if they did, the five leagues could break off and form their own governing alliance.

"I am greatly encouraged by the Board's action to reform the NCAA governance structure and grant autonomy to the five high visibility conferences,'' Baylor athletic director Ian McCaw said. "This action creates a pathway to address student-athlete welfare and other important issues.''

Obviously, at the heart of this will be the full cost of attendance stipends instead of the traditional scholarships. There are others including travel allowances for players and families and four-year scholarships instead of the standard yearly renewals.

-SicEmSports



Meet the Bears visitors

We're going to try and give you a better list on Friday and early Saturday. But here is a snapshot of players we expect to arrive for Saturday's event.

>Manor 2016 Erick Fowler (Baylor offer)


>Waco 2016 DB Eric Cuffee (Baylor interest)

>Waco La Vega 2016 DB Parrish Cobb (Baylor interest)


>Longview 2014 RB JaMycal Hasty (Baylor commit)


Emptying the Notebook

>Although much was made of UConn guard Shabazz Napier's hungry comments at the Final Four ? followed by the NCAA's capitulation to end food restrictions for student athletes and make them limitless for scholarship athletes and walk ons ? Baylor already had the jump. The school had invested $1 million into nutrition and healthy snacks one year prior to the Beauchamp Athletics Nutrition Center's opening.


>At this point, there are no plans for Baylor 2016 basketball commit Mark Vital to leave for another school after transferring to the embattled Prime Prep Academy. The school has submitted its appeal to the TEA after receiving notice in mid-July that its charter was being revoked.

-SicEmSports

Baylor's Fall Practice schedule

We do not have the protocol on how much fans can be a part of the practices. Typically, the early practices have been open but things can change year to year. We hope to pass that along as time moves forward. For now, here is how it's looking.


Aug. 5 - Practice around 2:50 p.m.

Aug. 6 - Practice at 2:50 p.m.

Aug. 7 - Practice at 2:50 p.m.

Aug. 8 - No practice

Aug. 9 - Practice at 10:00 a.m. Meet the Bears fan event at 12:30 p.m.

Aug. 10 - Practice at 1:50 p.m.

Aug. 11 - Practice at 2:50 p.m.

Aug. 12 - No practice

Aug. 13 - Practice at 10:00 a.m.

Aug. 14 - Practice at 9:50 a.m.

Aug. 15 - Practice at 9:50 a.m.

Aug. 18 - Practice at 11:45 a.m.

Aug. 19 - Practice at 9:50 a.m.

Aug. 20 - Practice at 9:20 a.m. The rest should be known later but usually the practices are closed to the public once Baylor is within two weeks of its season opener.



-SicEmSports




Rivals250 LB "very interested"
Baylor expressed its interest in 2016 Manor LB Erick Fowler on Wednesday night. A day later, he expressed equal interest in Baylor during our interview. Asked what he likes about Baylor, Fowler was almost at a loss for words.

"Just how they play," he started. "I like how they keep -- I just can't explain it. They just dominate the whole field. The offensive line, d-line, the cornerbacks, the safeties."

Fowler, ranked 84th in the initial 2016 Rivals250, had camped at Baylor and had been in communication for some time. But when RB coach Jeff Lebby called him Wednesday with an offer, it did take him by surprise.

"They've been talking to me for a while," he said, "but coach Lebby called me last night, and then we got to talking for a few minutes. He asked me how many offers I had, and I told him four. And he said you got a fifth one now.

"Man, I was surprised. I'm actually very interested in Baylor."

So much so that Fowler will be among the guests at the Meet the Bears event a week from Saturday.

"I'm definitely going to be there," he told me.

This is a recruit to keep an eye on for sure.
-Jake Shaw



Putting No. 10 in perspective
Forget just how high Baylor has ever been ranked in a preseason poll. Just consider for a second that the last time this happened was nearly a quarter-century ago.

Baylor, as you probably know by now, earned the No. 10 national ranking in the USA Today preseason Coaches Pull, announced Thursday afternoon. It's the first time Baylor has been ranked in any preseason football poll since 1991 and only the second time since 1960.

That '91 Baylor season now lives in infamy for longtime Baylor fans. A 5-0 start -- including a win at defending national champion Colorado -- was spoiled by a 20-17 home loss to an eventual 4-7 Rice team. Baylor lost the next week to Texas A&M on the way to an 8-4 season, including a loss in the Copper Bowl to Indiana.

An 8-4 season in 2014 would probably be considered a failure, but it won't come close to what happened in 1957. Baylor was ranked seventh by the AP in the preseason -- the last time Baylor got a preseason top 10 ranking -- but stumbled to a 3-6-1 mark. The '57 Bears were coming off a 13-7 win over No. 2 Tennessee in the Sugar Bowl, but that was the start of three straight losing seasons after going 28-14 over the previous four years.

The '51 and '53 teams also had preseason rankings -- with mixed results. While the '53 team went 7-3 but didn't make a bowl (or end with a ranking), the '51 team opened the year ranked 13th and got as high as No. 7 before finishing No. 9, culminating with a 17-14 loss to Georgia Tech.

That was the first -- and last -- time Baylor finished the season ranked in the top 10. Baylor is hoping the second time will come with this year's No. 10 preseason ranking.
-Jake Shaw



More on Mayden's Top 10

When Sachse 2016 DB Jared Mayden went to Baylor's June 6 camp at Lake Highlands, it only fortified what he already knew about the coaching staff.


Mayden, the No. 139 recruit in the Rivals 250, said he's developed a good rapport with LB coach Jim Gush, defensive coordinator Phil Bennett and head coach Art Briles. On Thursday, Mayden announced Baylor was one of the final 10 schools he was considering.


"The camp that day went very well,'' Mayden said. "I know I could play corner or safety for them and play really well. That's the kind of coaching I want.''


Mayden is like so many of today's recruits where he is visual and wants to see something tangible that ensures the program is committed to winning. A Big 12 championship trophy and a Heisman Trophy are about as good as it gets.


"The speed that Baylor plays with really impresses me,'' Mayden said. "They're bringing in 4-star and 5-star recruits. They're definitely coming on. And winning the Big 12 (in 2013) really carries a lot of weight with me.''


Mayden said he plans on attending the Aug. 31 opener against SMU in McLane Stadium's debut. As of now a commitment decision would come after the season.


"It's been stressful, but you can't let it overwhelm you,'' Mayden said. "If I go out of state, I want to make sure that my family can still see me play. So there's a lot to think about.''

-Kevin Lonnquist




Injuries delayed Houston's timeframe

When he started working out at the June 8 camp at Baylor, Austin St. Michael's defensive back Jameson Houston wasn't at his best.


He wound up missing most of the camp because he strained both his right hamstring and right hip flexor. Had he been injury free, Houston probably would have been committed to Baylor well before July 30 and would not have needed to return for the July 18 camp.


Nonetheless, he performed so well on the return trip, that it prompted the Baylor coaches to bring him back. Now, Houston is a member of the 2015 class.


"I just couldn't perform like I was capable of,'' Houston said. "That's why they really wanted me to come back in July.''

-Kevin Lonnquist




The last of 2015

With Austin St. Michael's cornerback Jameson Houston the No. 11 commitment to the 2015 class, this is probably a pretty good time to review what work is left for Baylor.


All the while we've been reporting that the class could be around 18 give or take. While that's still a possibility, it's really sounding like that number will be around 15 give or take.


And the early indications are that the 2016 class is probably going to be just a little bigger but not much from the 2015 class.


So let's get a pulse on some of the bigger names Baylor is in pursuit of…



Darrion Daniels, DT, Dallas Bishop Dunne: If Baylor is going to take someone at this position, this is probably the one. Another major target Kingsley Keke committed to Texas A&M in June. And really the current Baylor roster is swollen at DT. Daniels, the No. 155 prospect in the Rivals 2015 250, told SicEmSports he has been in touch with LB coach Jim Gush recently and has discussed about coming to Baylor for either a practice or a game.


"They're amazing,'' Daniels said. "I built a good relationship with the coaches. I feel like the team is on the rise. They're going to help me.''


If Baylor doesn't secure Daniels, then the staff can live without a DT.




Kahil Haughton, S, Waco Midway: By now, you know he made the latest and possibly final visit to Baylor on Wednesday before he announces. The coaching staff made another pitch to him on how important it would be for him to play in his hometown. Of course, he already has a teammate committed in WR Devontre Strickland.


The Bears have told him he's one of their top defensive priorities if not their top overall. A physical safety which can run like Haughton doesn't come around often. Haughton is deciding between the Bears, Texas Tech, Arkansas and Oklahoma. The question is whether staying at home should be enough to keep him or if that feeling of going away to school is stronger than most believe. He should make his decision known sometime this month.



Malik Jefferson, LB, Mesquite Poteet: Last Sunday's visit to Baylor was his fourth. Sources have told us that the visit went better than we originally reported. That doesn't mean that Baylor is the leader or one of the top 3-5 (Jefferson hasn't officially named a Top 5 or 10) but the fact that they got the Rivals No. 19 prospect on campus and took the family on a tour of McLane Stadium has to carry some substance to it. Jefferson said he's going to announce after the 2014 season. He also wants to take his five official visits. If Baylor becomes one of those then who knows. Jefferson had a tweet earlier this week that was cryptic in nature. It said SEC, Big 12, Big 12 Pac 12. If you want to read into that, it makes you think he's referring to Texas A&M, Baylor, Texas and Oregon.


Running back: It's termed more of a position than an individual because there are several candidates in play. The first is Port Arthur Memorial's Corey Dauphine. He recently told our Texas Tech colleagues and SicEmSports on Thursday that he appeared to be set with the Red Raiders.


But he also wasn't sure if was going to Texas A&M on Saturday like he originally planned. The conventional wisdom is that this isn't over. The Baylor-Port Arthur Memorial connections are too strong for this to dissolve.


That said, we also know that Baylor has stayed in touch with McKinney North RB Ronald Jones II. Don't be surprised if the Oklahoma State commit and Rivals No. 43 prospect shows up at an upcoming Baylor event.


And the coaching staff hasn't forgotten about Plano West running back Soso Jamabo. But since the Rivals No. 45 recruit just coming off the AAU basketball season with the Texas Titans, he's just now getting into a major football frame of mind.




Defensive back: This is the same thing like running back because there are several candidates the Bears are staying after. For one, it's Fort Bend Marshall's Kendall Sheffield. As we reported earlier in the week, Sheffield said he has been in contact with the Baylor coaches and is considering a visit in the near future. But from what we know, the dialogue remains pretty positive.


As for Gilmer defensive back Kris Boyd, don't count Baylor out of this yet. With current commit Blake Lynch in Gilmer, he's working on Boyd. Boyd said earlier this week he had a good visit to Baylor on July 18 and is considering a second visit. Obviously, many believe that Texas A&M has an edge here. But Boyd hasn't committed either. And if he makes a second visit, then that's a positive step for Baylor.




Offensive line: Baylor probably wasn't broken up when Mesquite Horn's Conner Dyer committed to Texas Tech. The coaching staff tends to like the JUCO offensive line prospects equally as the high school. They already have one in Plano's Sam Tecklenburg. Plus, two JUCO prospects are taking official visits in the fall. City of San Francisco College tackle Dominic Desouza is scheduled to visit Oct 11 for the TCU game. Pierce C.C. (CA) tackle Deya Mhiesen is slated to arrive for the SMU game on Aug. 31. Baylor probably needs one of those two unless another JUCO lineman appears from nowhere. That's always possible.

-Kevin Lonnquist



Hardship waiver update

Texas A&M offensive line transfer Ishmael Wilson arrived on the Baylor campus for the second summer session in July.


Baylor has since submitted all of the necessary documentation to the NCAA for a hardship waiver review. Its outcome is still unknown and probably won't be until possibly the start of the 2014 season.


In most cases, the NCAA tries to rule on these waivers in time before the regular season so an athlete will know his or her status. Texas A&M gave Wilson an unconditional release because of health issues (kidney failure) concerning his mother. Wilson, a Dallas Bishop Dunne product, can go through practices once they begin on Tuesday.


While the concerns are valid, there really is no precedent that would favor Baylor. Baylor had two similar transfers in running back Lache Seatrunk in 2011 and guard Royce O'Neale in 2013.


It turned out to be a split decision. The NCAA denied Seastrunk waiver but granted O'Neale's waiver. At this point it's unknown how he would fit in on the depth chart. But he is a tackle by trade. The 2013 signee redshirted at A&M last fall.

-Kevin Lonnquist



Bears still working on Williams
2016 Plano Prestonwood LB Deonte Williams is "moving along" (in his words) with his recruiting process, but Baylor is still doing some catching up.

Baylor offered Williams earlier this summer. They've invited him to camps and for unofficial visits. He says they contact him "every now and then." But in naming Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M and Florida State as his top schools of interest, he basically said Baylor has some work to do.

"I'm looking at other schools and stuff like that, but they're a good school," Williams said.

Having said that, Williams did say he thinks he'll visit Waco for a game this fall. It would be his first visit and might be enough to start changing his mind.

-Jake Shaw



Emptying the Notebook

>Just an FYI that written offers to the 2015 recruits go out Friday, Aug. 1. No other recruits can receive them.


>While there was some twitter frenzy about NCAA 100 national champion Trayvon Bromell talking about going out for the football team, we later learned that it was shot down - almost. We'll leave it that if the Bromell wanted to talk to the coaching staff about coming out for the football team, the door would be open.


>In case you didn't see it, Baylor's two other 2016 commits were rated. Navasota wide receiver Tren'Davian Dickson is a 3-star and is rated 5.6. Pflugerville Hendrickson defensive back Keyshawn Somerville is also a 3-star and rated 5.7. "I'm going to work to get that [rating up],'' Dickson said.


>Texas coach Charlie Strong gave unconditional releases when he dismissed athlete Jalen Overstreet and running back Joe Bergeron. We bring this up only because Baylor originally pursued Overstreet before he committed to Texas. At this time, we do not find that the coaching staff has much interest. The other problem is that if a player were to transfer within the Big 12, he would have to sit for two years.

-SicEmSports

NOTE: The first Rivals 100 and 250 2016 rankings are expected to be released this coming Monday and Tuesday. As is its custom, the 100 will be disclosed at 11:00 a.m. on Monday. The 250 will be released at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday.



There's no doubt the rankings will impact Baylor's five commitments. While the Rivals analysts met earlier in the week to talk about their recruits, their ratings are unknown. That said, it's time to give you an idea of where we believe they will land.

Our take:

Kameron Martin, RB, Port Arthur: If he's not in the 250 as a 4-star, I would be surprised. The 20-plus offers including one from Florida State along with great speed and hands is the recipe to be on this list. My guess is he will be between 150-200.

Patrick Hudson, OT, Silsbee: I'll have more a little about him down below. But given his ability and how well he moves, there is no reason to think he won't be in the 100.

Zach Smith, QB, Grandview: He is the perfect quarterback in the Baylor system. While his June 7 commitment to Baylor came out of nowhere, there has been time to evaluate him and get a read. I think he could be a high 3-star…5.7.


Keyshawn Somerville, DB, Pflugerville Hendrickson: Offers will continue to flow his way, but I think Somerville winds up being a 3-star recruit. He just has all of the intangibles to be that.

Tren'Davian Dickson, WR, Navasota: The good news is that Dickson attended the Rivals camp series on March 9 in Houston and impressed at the workout. I could see him either being a high two star (5.4 but with plenty of opportunity to move up) to a 3-star and 5.5.

-Kevin Lonnquist



Another 2016 Waco DB on the radar

While the saga of Eric Cuffee continues, Baylor has shown interest in another local 2016 defensive back.


Joining Cuffee -- the 2016 Waco High DB who claimed over the weekend he had committed to Baylor -- on Thursday morning on the Baylor campus was Parrish Cobb from La Vega High. Cobb had received a personal invitation to check out Baylor.


"Coach Norwood had called my head coach and asked me to come up there," he said, "so I went up there with Eric. I watched them practice and talked to some of the coaches. They gave us a tour around the facilities. It went really good. We were going to have a meeting with coach (Art) Briles, but he couldn't make it."


Briles, as most of you know, was at the ESPN headquarters for some various appearances. But it's likely the two will get a chance to meet again. Baylor seems to like Cobb quite a bit. There hasn't been an offer yet but there's a good reason for that.


"They're just waiting on my film because I didn't play last year," said Cobb, who missed all but the last couple of games with a hamstring injury. Even then, he said he wasn't near 100 percent. He just wanted to play that badly.


"They'll watch me first couple games and then get back to me," he added.


Cobb spent all of his football life playing mostly quarterback, but when he returned from his injury, he primarily played corner. That's where Baylor -- and programs including Texas, Alabama, TCU and Cincinnati are recruiting him. I'll keep in touch with him and monitor the start of his junior season. There's a chance that by then, his name will be well known.

-Jake Shaw



Hudson wrapup

When you watch Silsbee 2016 offensive tackle Patrick Hudson, you can understand why Baylor will have a fight on its hands to keep him a part of this recruiting class.

Hudson, who switched his commitment from Texas A&M to the Bears on July 18, has a tape that is electric. He is light on his feet. He runs a 5.1 in the 40 and moves so well laterally, that you can't teach it. It's a gift.

"It's his size, strength and ability,'' Silsbee defensive coordinator Hiawatha Hickman said. "He runs like a guy who weighs 200 pounds, even though he wears a size 17 shoe. We pull our tackles a lot, and sometimes he outruns our quarterback on plays. He's just a big ole Teddy Bear. But the scary thing is that he's not done growing.''

Hickman believes Hudson (6-5, 325) can reach 6-7. But it's in the genes. Hudson's mother is 6-1. His father is 6-4 and other relatives are just as tall. Couple that and Hudson's natural athleticisim and that's why the term, "freak" is used.

"When we took him to Texas A&M, the nutritionist thought he weighed 275. Everybody was pretty shocked,'' Hickman said. "But I don't think this over. Auburn has called about him and Texas wants him to come up and visit.''

Just trying to find Hudson can be a challenge. He doesn't have a cell phone and isn't a part of the social media network.

"He's just someone who isn't interested in that,'' Hickman said. "His grades are solid. He's a good kid.''

-Kevin Lonnquist


Williams still growing

All Deonte Williams could do was pump his fist when he learned of his Baylor offer. The 2016 Plano Prestonwood linebacker (6-2, 218) had been spied by Baylor linebackers coach Jim Gush as a freshman.

Baylor became one of the first two offers Williams has received. The other is TCU. Texas Tech may be closer to extending. But it didn't change the fact that Williams was genuinely enthralled by the Baylor coaching staff's act.

"I was pretty pumped,'' Williams said. "I wasn't expecting early offers. But I know the work I put in meant something. I really appreciated what was going on.''

Williams is still in a discovery phase. He has noted how Baylor's defense plays a very intense and physical brand of ball. He also liked how hard this unit, under defensive coordinator Phil Bennett, runs to the football.

One of his strengths is that he can cover in space. Prestonwood coach Chris Cunningham plays Williams at both outside linebacker and defensive end. His 4.6 speed is acceptable, but he wants to lower it to 4.5. Currently, his shuttle is 4.24 while his bench is 270 and his squad is 365.

Williams is also coming off a pretty strong 7-on-7 season in which he helped Preston reach the state Division I championship game (losing to Graham, 47-45). As fall camp begins, he is keeping his options opens but wants to schedule a visit to Baylor as soon as he can.

"I'd like to get there during fall camp,'' he said. "Right now, I'm just trying to look at all of my options. I'm interested in everyone. I want to take it slow.''

-Kevin Lonnquist



Why Rhodes went to Bowling Green

When SicEmSports reported Tuesday that everything pointed to former Baylor wide receiver Robbie Rhodes heading to Bowling Green (that's now official), we cited that the move made sense because former Baylor assistant Dino Babers just took over that program.

Rhodes was dismissed from the Baylor program on June 23 for undisclosed reasons but later admitted by his father Reggie as mistakes. He will leave for Mid-American Conference school next Thursday and will report on Aug. 1. Rhodes will redshirt in 2014 so he will have three years of eligibility remaining.

"When Dino talked to Robbie, he pretty much laid out there what the expectations were and that he wanted Robbie to take advantage of this,'' Robbie's father Reggie Rhodes said. "Dino told him he wanted to treat Robbie like they were their All American because they don't get All-Americans. They're giving him a chance to be the guy.''

Rhodes, who was ranked No. 69 when he signed with Baylor in 2013, struggled as a freshman with 10 receptions for 157 yards and battled through a severe ankle injury. But off-the-field issues remained.

On June 3, the McLennan County District Attorney's office decided not to pursue misdemeanor marijuana possession charges. That was on June 3. Rhodes was arrested on May 2 following a routine traffic stop.

Still, a person of Rhodes' talent was worth the risk. While there were whispers of a return to Baylor, they never materialized, Reggie said. "Quite a few schools" contacted the Rhodes family. However, Reggie declined to name specifics.

We do know that several junior colleges tried to lure Robbie to their campus' for a year. However, those efforts vanished pretty quickly.

What Reggie is hoping for is that his son will take advantage of this opportunity of leaving Texas for this fresh start in Ohio. There should be a little peace of mind because Reggie's Multiple Myeloma remains in remission.

"We know that everything was a learning experience,'' Reggie said. "There have been a lot of things that have been said. Some are true. Some are not true. But that's over.

"Robbie knows what his responsibility is and that he's going to be more determined. I think my health gives Robbie a better feeling about leaving Texas. We tried in state. Now, it's time to leave.''

-Kevin Lonnquist



Adidas Super 64 in Las Vegas

The U17-U15 AAU tournament began in Las Vegas on Thursday. Baylor assistants Jerome Tang and Grant McCasland had plenty to watch with the tournament ongoing through Sunday.

Among several of the 2015 recruits Baylor is locked into:

Kerwin Roach (6-4), SG, Galena Park North Shore: There's been a lot of momentum behind the 3-star standout's recruitment over the last two weeks. Baylor recently offered him. His versatility has been very noticeable.

Rashard Odomes (6-5), SG, Copperas Cove: Baylor has offered Odomes, a 3-star. Of course, anyone from Copperas Cove will feel that Baylor tug (See RG3). However, Odomes doesn't have an official visit to Baylor planned. He is expected to official at Oklahoma at the end of August.

Jordan Murphy (6-7), SF, SA Brennan: Rivals No. 103 recruit is Odomes teammate on the D1 Ambassadors. He holds 11 offers including Baylor.

-Kevin Lonnquist


GASO - Duncanville
In attendance and playing with Texas PRO was 6-foot-10, Jarrett Allen from the class of 2016. Allen drew crowds of high major coaches as he showed that he could dominate a game on both ends of the floor. Defensively, Allen plays in the paint and protects the rim with his long arms and slender body. On the offensive end he gets big and asks for the ball high and uses spin moves and works hard to finish at the rim or use a soft hook with either hand. Allen will make a big push for being the top player in the 2016 class.

Allen helped Texas PRO to a GASO Title and it was their second in as many weeks.

"We came out here with high expectations after winning the GMI in Houston last weekend," said Allen. "We started off a little sluggish and didn't show well, but we got better and stronger as we played more games. I think we were to cocky, and realized that the competition is strong and we got our act together and put a run together."

Offers have come in from Texas, Baylor, Houston, Kansas State, TCU, Kansas and SMU.
-Texas Hoops


Emptying the Notebook

>As you know, Baylor will unveil the RG3 statue around 3:00 p.m. before the Aug. 31 opener against SMU. It's probably been reported elsewhere but if not, we have been told Robert Griffin III is expected to be there for the unveiling. It's unclear if he would have time to stay for the game.


>Baylor's men's basketball game against Texas A&M on Dec. 9 has been scheduled for an 8:00 p.m. start and will be shown on ESPN2.


>Southlake Carroll 2016 S prospect Obi Eboh has a good feeling about Baylor. He also believes Baylor has a good feeling about him too. He said he had a good camp on July 18, his second after attending the June 6 camp in Lake Highlands. "I'm going to send them my film to look at from September,'' Eboh said. Eboh just picked up his second offer from Duke on Thursday.


>Although he stated Texas, Texas A&M and Houston were his three favorites, Houston Westfield 2016 DT Ed Oliver's mother told SicEmSports that he has interest in Baylor. While there hasn't been much contact between him and the staff, his mother said her son is aware that can change. Don't be surprised if Baylor
works its way into this recruitment even more.


>Duncanville SG Matthew McQuaid, who recently de-committed from SMU, has reportedly said Baylor has interest in him. McQauid is rated No. 87 by Rivals.


>From the things that make you go hmm department: When we reported TCU offered Keller Fossil Ridge 2015 S and Baylor commit Montrel Wilson, we asked him on three different occasions if this is making him re-think anything. We have not received a response.


>Baylor is not alone offering Kennedale 2017 LB Baron Browning. Arkansas has now offered him.


>Five former Baylor football players will be recognized as Baylor Football Legends during select 2014 home football games, Baylor officials announced Thursday. Each honoree will be introduced on the field during their respective game, while a short video details their playing careers for the Bears. They will be C.J. Wilson on Aug. 31 against SMU; Joel Porter ( on Sept. 6 against Northwestern State, Albert Fontenot on Oct. 11 against TCU, Trent Shelton on Nov. 22 against Oklahoma State and Mark Cochran on Dec. 6 against Kansas State.

-SicEmSports

Final Camp

Baylor's final open camp will be held on campus on Friday. As usual, the offensive and defensive linemen session runs from 1-4 pm. The skill camp is from 3-6 pm. Here is the list of notable players who are expected to attend.


>Marquez Stevenson, WR, Shreveport (LA) Northwood - 2016


>La'Dante Daventport, DT, Shreveport (LA) Northwood - 2015 (committed to La. Tech)


>Isaiah Chambers, DE, Houston MacArthur - 2016 (Baylor offer)


>J.P. Urquidez, OL, Dematha Catholic (MD) - 2016 (Baylor offer)


>D'Eriq King, DB, Manvel - 2016 (Baylor offer)


>Austin Meyers, OL, Manvel - 2016


>Clay Johnston, LB, Abilene Wylie - 2015 (Baylor commit)


>Chad President, QB, Temple - 2015 (Baylor commit)


>Josh Woriboko, OL, Oklahoma City Casady - 2015 (he said he might)


>Iyare B.J. Ojo, LB, Houston Lamar - 2015


>Obi Eboh, DB, Southlake Carroll - 2016


>Jordan Tolbert, DB, FB Ridge Point - 2015 (Baylor commit. Won't go through it because of the ACL injury)


>Sam Tecklenburg, OL, Plano - 2015 (Baylor commit)


>Andre Sanders, Ath, Abilene Cooper - 2015


>Jaron Barnett, Ath, Abilene Cooper - 2015


>Billy Allen, Abilene Cooper - 2015


>Aaron Anderson, Ath, Abilene Cooper - 2016


>Josh Hale, LB, Abilene Cooper - 2015


>Darrion McClendon, S, Waco La Vega -- 2016


Note: Corpus Christi Flour Bluff DB Jalen Campbell changed his plans and will go to TCU Friday. The lack of a Baylor offer probably tipped this, even though he originally thought a strong workout could convince the Baylor staff to offer him.


Campbell said he wants to announce his commitment decision on Aug. 11. He said Baylor, Texas and Texas A&M coaches wanted to see how he performed during the 2014 season before they offered. Given that he was coming off a knee injury and how his commitment to Texas changed once Mack Brown left, he didn't want to wait. You really can't blame him.


Once the camp is underway, we'll get a better idea of who is there beyond what we have reported. We'll also have a camp wrapup late Friday.

-Kevin Lonnquist



Singleton's influence

He's been away from Port Arthur Memorial for nearly three years. But Terrence Singleton's legacy has maintained and influenced younger players coming through the program.


When 2016 running back Kameron Martin committed to Baylor on Tuesday, he spoke of what Singleton meant to not only him but the Memorial program and the Port Arthur community.


"We knew he was going to be a money player in college,'' Martin said. "He was a player who worked hard. He was a role model to kids like us. You could just tell that he knew what it was going to take to get to the next level.''


Singleton played quarterback at Memorial but Baylor saw his future at a different position in the secondary. When spring practice finished on April 5, he emerged as a starting cornerback.


The Bears are still in the running for Martin's 2015 teammate, running back Corey Dauphine who is deciding between them, Texas Tech (soft commit) Texas A&M and some late interest from Florida.


Dauphine and Singleton live in the same apartment complex in Port Arthur and know each other pretty well. Dauphine said that he looked at Singleton as a mentor.


"It's just that Terrence knew what he had to do to get to play in college,'' Port Arthur Memorial coach Kenny Harrison said. "He proved that if you work hard in the classroom and on the field, you'll get your chance.''


Martin said Singleton's presence at Baylor wasn't a factor in why he committed to the program. But it also doesn't hurt that Singleton is there.


"He's a big brother to me,'' Martin said. "He's the reason why I want to stay focused.''


Martin said he plans on attending Baylor's first fall practice on Aug. 4.

-Kevin Lonnquist




A homecoming of sorts

Memphis Harding Academy offensive tackle Will Lawrence has yet to enjoy his first day of high school. But it's clear the 2018 Tennessee native could have his pick of schools by the time he is a senior.


Having played one year of varsity football as an 8th grader (Tennessee state law allows that if the middle school/junior high is on the same grounds as the high school), Lawrence's national reputation is expanding. He spent last weekend competing at the Rivals Underclassmen Challenge in Jacksonville. Lawrence won all four of his OL/DL matchups. And at 6-4, 260, he probably still hasn't finished growing.


"It was so much fun. I had an amazing time,'' Lawrence said. "My goal was to do as good as I could and hold my own. But I surpassed it.''


Continuing the Lawrence name at Baylor would be something to consider. His father Tom and mother Cindy each graduated from Baylor in 1989. This is the younger Lawrence's first visit to Baylor since the homecoming game of 2013 against Iowa State.


Of course, so much has changed since he was last in Waco especially with the construction of McLane Stadium. Lawrence has already secured his first offer from Cincinnati. A strong showing could give the Baylor coaching staff cause to extend one.


"I really want to show them what I'm capable of doing,'' Will said. "I want to win my one on ones. It should be a great opportunity.''

-Kevin Lonnquist



Louisiana lightning

Shreveport (LA) Northwood 2016 wide receiver Marquez Stevenson has the size (5-11, 170) that Baylor craves at the slot position.


That's why Randy Clements offered him on May 1. But for the first time, Stevenson will find out what's behind the offer when he attends Baylor's camp in Waco. Admittedly, Stevenson doesn't know much about the Bears coaching staff. Friday should reveal more.


"I've heard a lot about the coaches and the program,'' he said. "It's kind of fact finding for me. I want to see how the campus is laid out and just getting to know the coaches and the program a little better. I know the school is known for their receivers.''


Besides Baylor, Stevenson has offers from TCU, Mississippi State and Memphis. His speed speaks for itself as he ran a 4.43 40 at a Mississippi State camp. In Northwood's offense, the staff used him on jet sweeps and slant patterns. But there was a transfer that could cause Stevenson to move to the outside receiver position this fall.


Steven has heard how Baylor's camp will involve a lot of different type of drill work as wide receivers will go against defensive backs. He's looking forward to the challenge.


"I just want to focus and be ready,'' Stevenson said.

-Kevin Lonnquist



Vital's future clouded

When the TEA informed Dallas Prime Prep Academy on Wednesday that it was moving toward revoking the school's charter, that impacted a lot of people, especially the athletes.


It also impacts Baylor to a lesser extent. Small forward Mark Vital, No. 48 in the 2016 Rivals 150, just transferred from Lake Charles (LA) in the spring. With the school's future unknown, we've learned that Vital probably will not be heading back to Lake Charles to continue his high school career.


What we do know is that no decisions will be made until after Prime Prep files its appeal. That is due on July 30. If the appeal is accepted, then Vital will remain at the school.


If it is denied, then other arrangements will be made. We do know that Vital likely will stick around in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Vital is spending this weekend at Under Armour Finals in Atlanta.

-Kevin Lonnquist




Moore not ready to quit on Baylor

David Moore is smart enough to know that if Baylor has one quarterback already committed for the 2016 class, it's not very likely the Bears will take another. But he hasn't given up hope just yet.

"Baylor kind of fell off a little bit," he said. "They got a commitment obviously, so it's kind of tough for them to want to reach out to another quarterback. But they still keep in contact and I still like them a lot."

Moore doesn't have an offer, and he won't get one today since he's not attending Baylor's camp. He's headed up to UAB, the program he says is recruiting him hardest, and said he hopes to leave with an offer. He said Texas Tech and Texas A&M had started recruited him more in the past weeks as well.

Moore, who spent the spring semester competing for the starting job at Denton Guyer, has since transferred back to Prosper, where he played as a sophomore in 2013. He went back to Prosper because his mother is having health problems. Whereas it was a tight battle at Guyer, Moore expects to be the starter at Prosper.

"If my mom's health was better obviously I would've stayed at Guyer, but I'm excited to go back to Prosper," he said. "We didn't have best season last year so I think they're looking forward to me coming in and leading them. We're going to make a run at it."
-Jake Shaw




Emptying the Notebook

>Construction is underway on the 16 boat slips that will front McLane Stadium on the Brazos River. They are expected to be completed by the Aug. 31 opener against SMU. By the way, the lights were turned on at the stadium on Thursday.


>Do not expect Baylor's future out of conference schedule to change. At this time, there is nothing in the works about getting out of an agreement with another school in order to schedule a home-and-home with a P5 school.


>Baylor continues a healthy and productive dialogue with Cibolo Steele 2016 DE Mark Jackson. Steele coaches have told us that Baylor has made a good impression. Baylor offered Jackson back in the spring.


>White Settlement Brewer athlete Chris Gibson said he spoke with Baylor RB coach Jeff Lebby earlier this week and said that Lebby told him they were going to continue to watch him. Gibson is an interesting athlete who has pretty good speed. But schools want to know more about him. He has an offer from Illinois State but D1 offers should be coming soon.


>It still has a pulse. Dallas Skyline LB Anthony Wheeler said he has been direct messaging with Baylor coaches recently and said he is still considering the Bears.


>Make of it what you will but we checked with Mesquite Poteet LB Malik Jefferson. Jefferson is not planning on coming to Baylor's camp Friday and does not have a visit date worked out with the staff as of yet. Jefferson said before he went to The Opening he was hoping to get to Baylor for the Friday camp.


>The Texas Titans - filled with Baylor commit King McClure and targets D.J. Hogg, Marques Bolden and Tyler Davis won their first two games Thursday at the EYBL Peach Jam in North Augusta, S.C. The tournament continues through Sunday.


>Don't forget that Meet the Bears will be Saturday, Aug. 9 at the Highers Athletics Complex.

-SicEmSports

One AAU team could put Bears in Top 10
Baylor secured a commitment from 2015 shooting guard King McClure at the end of April. Getting two of his Texas Titans teammates could very well give Baylor a top 10 basketball class.

According to the head coach of McClure's AAU team, Baylor has a strong chance of making that happen. Baylor's in great standing with C Tyler Davis and SF D.J. Hogg, both ranked as 4-star recruits.

"I think all the Texas schools are in the front of the line," Titans coach Scott Pospichal said. "Kansas and UCLA are also in for Tyler, and UCLA for D.J., schools like that. There's no question that Baylor is towards the top if not at the top. But all the Texas schools are in line."

The Titans, who also have Plano West running back and guard Soso Jamabo on the team, are headed east for the Peach Jam next week. Coming off a tournament win in their last appearance, Pospichal expects to collect more hardware.

"The preparation for this team has always been to win it," he said.

As for Davis, Pospichal gave quick scouting reports on his two star players, both ranked inside the top 50 by rivals.com.

On Davis: "Great hands. He came here in 8th grade at 6-5, 255, and now he's 6-10, 270. He's a hard-working young man, a sweetheart off the court and a beast on it. He's highly competitive."

On Hogg: "He's the youngest kid on his team. He's young for his grade. It's just more of a maturity thing with D.J. The older he's gotten the more incredible he's become. There's a lot for him in the future. My biggest concern with D.J. is him trying to compete on the defensive end. Offensively, he's so skilled. He passes the ball very well, he's a very difficult guy to defend, he has a high release on his jumper."

As for McClure, there's been no wavering on his commitment. If anything, it has eased the pressure on him.

"He's doing a better job,'' Pospichal said. "He loves Baylor. He loves the coaching staff, and we're big fans of the coaching staff and Baylor. It's a good fit for King."
-Jake Shaw





Big 12 poll and preseason All-Big 12 Conference Team




Big 12 media days are scheduled for July 21-22 in Dallas at the Omni Hotel. SicEmSports will be there to cover Baylor and the rest of the conference. We'll have more about that next week. In the meantime, your publisher took part in sending in his ballot on the preseason poll and all-conference team. I sent mine in Thursday. Ballots were due to the league office Friday.





Some decisions were easy. Others were hard. The one I struggled with the most was running back with Baylor's Shock Linwood and Texas' Malcolm Brown. Head to head in 2013 it was pretty much a wash. You could rightly argue Linwood had the better season (128-881 for Linwood vs. 214-904 for Brown).





But my lean toward Brown was that I could see Baylor spreading the ball even more between Linwood, Chafin and Johnny Jefferson than it did in 2013. Texas may be leaning on Brown a lot more with so many questions facing its offense.





Many could look at my Baylor pick as the conference favorite as bias (something I hear but ignore because if that's the best argument they can come up with then they have nothing) after what Oklahoma did in the Sugar Bowl against Alabama and the fact that Baylor visits Oklahoma in Norman on Nov. 8. But what I do know is that Baylor has the more tested quarterback in Bryce Petty. Oklahoma's Trevor Knight was fantastic against Alabama but I need a body of work. And why can't Baylor win in Norman? Yes, the Bears never have. But if you're going to win a conference championship, you have to win big games on the road.





That said, I think I gave Baylor a pretty fair shake in this.





Predicted order of finish




1. Baylor




2. Oklahoma




3. Oklahoma State




4. Kansas State




5. Texas




6. Texas Tech




7. TCU




8. West Virginia




9. Iowa State




10. Kansas










All-Conference team




Defense




DL - Ryan Mueller, Kansas State




DL - Charles Tapper, Oklahoma




DL - Cedric Reed, Texas




DL - Shawn Oakman, Baylor




LB - Frank Shannon, Oklahoma




LB - Eric Striker, Oklahoma




LB - Bryce Hager, Baylor




DB - Sam Carter, TCU




DB - Quandre Diggs, Texas




DB - Dante Barnett, Kansas State




DB - Isaiah Johnson, Kansas




P - Spencer Roth, Baylor




PR - Jakeem Grant, Texas Tech





Offense




WR - Antwan Goodley, Baylor




TE - E.J. Bibbs, Iowa State




OL - Spencer Drango, Baylor




OL - Le'Raven Clark, Texas Tech




C - B.J. Finney, Kansas State




OL - Tyrus Thompson, Oklahoma




OL - Halapouivaati Vaitai, TCU




QB - Bryce Petty, Baylor




RB - Malcolm Brown, Texas




RB - Desmond Roland, Oklahoma State




PK - Jaden Oberkrom, TCU




PR - Levi Norwood, Baylor





Offensive Player of the Year - Bryce Petty, Baylor, QB




Defensive Player of the Year - Eric Striker, Oklahoma, LB




Newcomer of the Year - Rushel Shell, West Virginia, RB




-Kevin Lonnquist










State 7-on-7 tournament




Several Baylor targets are involved in the Division I bracket of the state 7-on-7 tournament that continues Friday and Saturday at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex in Leander.





Division II pool play was held Thursday involving lower classification and private school teams. There really weren't any Baylor connections involved except for Plano Prestonwood LB Deonte Williams (Baylor offer). Prestonwood won its pool (3-0) and advanced to the championship bracket. Williams had two interceptions and caught several TDs at wide receiver. He should be in Waco next week for the camp.





Abilene Wylie LB and Baylor commit Clay Johnston also advanced to the championship round thanks to some tiebreakers. Johnston said he scored 5-7 touchdowns during pool play. That's something that should be expected in 2014. He said he plans to play a lot of running back in the fall.





As for Division I, Temple quarterback and Baylor commit Chad President and Manvel QB and Baylor 2016 DB offer D'Eriq King play Friday. Temple is in Pool E along with Fort Bend Clements, Wolfforth Frenship and Frisco Heritage. Manvel is in Pool N with Lake Dallas, College Station and El Paso Franklin. Of course, that Manvel team has several prospects Baylor is looking at including 2016 DB Deontay Anderson. Baylor has offered Anderson.





"I want to win, but it's just something that lets us keep the competitive nature until the season comes,'' King said.





Southlake Carroll 2016 DB Obi Eboh will be there along with Allen DB Jaylon Jones. Eboh is planning to return to Baylor's camp next week in Waco. And keep watching Trophy Club Byron Nelson 2016 WR Brandon Bowen. Bowen is one of those raw talents who may need a full season in the Bobcats offense so recruiters know exactly what they are evaluating. Bowen played defensive end with Carrollton Newman Smith in 2013 before transferring to Nelson.




-Kevin Lonnquist










The work for Wilson begins




As soon as Dallas Bishop Dunne offensive lineman Ishmael Wilson enrolled at Baylor on Thursday, the school began the process of gathering its information so it could submit a hardship waiver request to the NCAA.





But with this being mid-July, the chances of hearing anything from the NCAA before the Aug. 31 opener with SMU is a mystery. Remember, Baylor didn't know anything about DE Sam Ukwuachu's situation until well after the 2013 season began (he was denied) but learned shortly before the 2013-14 season that transfer guard Royce O'Neale's waiver had been granted.





Until then, the Texas A&M transfer can go through workouts and go through fall workouts with the team.




-Kevin Lonnquist






Bears still on Roy's radar
It's been a long time since Baylor offered 2016 Spring DT Bravvion Roy. Baylor was the first to offer the junior-to-be, doing so during Roy's freshman year. The staff hasn't let up since then, keeping tabs on him, and getting him to a camp this summer.

It was the only camp he's attended this summer, and he felt like he got special treatment.

"When I was at the Baylor camp, I felt like it the relationship with the coaches was close," he said. "They had me doing everything first in drills."

Five schools have offered since Baylor first pulled the trigger, including Texas.

He said he likes Baylor "a lot", but after thinking things through, he's going to hold off on committing anywhere for a while.

"I really wanted to make a decision this upcoming year, but I'm just going to let the season play out first," he said. "I'm mainly trying to focus on the upcoming season and staying in shape with my cardio."

We'll check in with him periodically to monitor his recruitment.
-Jake Shaw










Big basketball weekend - Part 1




Baylor coaches are spread out across the country at several major tournaments. Jerome Tang is in Chicago for the Adidas Unrivaled that runs through Sunday. Paul Mills is in Philadelphia for the Reebok Classic Breakout which ends Friday. The LeBron James Skills camp is in Las Vegas through Saturday and is connected to the EYBL. This just gives you an idea of which Baylor targets are where.




>Tyler Davis, Plano West, C (2015) - LeBron James




>D.J. Hogg, Plano West, F (2015) - LeBron James




>Eric Davis, Saginaw (MI), G (2015) - LeBron James




>King McClure, Triple A Academy, G (2015) - LeBron James




>Malik Monk, Bentonville (AR), G (2016) - LeBron James




>De'Aaron Fox, Cy Lakes, G (2016) - LeBron James




>Shake Milton, Owasso (OK), G (2015) - LeBron James




>Schnider Herard, Plano Prestonwood, C (2016) - LeBron James




>Micah Thomas, Eads (TN), F, (2016) - Adidas




>Terrance Ferguson, Dallas Prime Prep, F, (2016) - Reebok




>Admon Gilder, Dallas Madison, G, (2015) - Reebok




>T.J. Vasher, WF Rider, G, (2016) - Reebok




-Kevin Lonnquist










Emptying the Notebook




>You may have pretty much figured it out, but I couldn't report it until I talked with him. But late Thursday Ennis DE James Lockhart said his recruitment is down to Alabama and Texas A&M. Lockhart said Baylor is out of consideration.





>Longview RB JaMycal Hasty's time at The Opening has finished. His 7-on-7 team MachSpeed had a great showing going 2-1 before falling in the semifinals of the tournament. Call it a strong showing for Hasty. His composite score of 108.93 from his SPARQ test ranked him 32nd among the 163 prospects, which had scores recorded.





>Everything still points to ground breaking for the construction of the Beauchamp Athletics Nutrition Center this fall. It should be ready to open in the spring of 2015.





>When fall camp starts on Aug. 4, it would not be a shock to see Travon Blanchard get more work at the Bear position to challenge Collin Brence. Blanchard was originally recruited for that position in 2013. However, he was moved to the secondary during the fall camp. With Kiante Griffin gone, that probably should allow for the coaching staff to evaluate Blanchard further.




-SicEmSports

NOTE: Your publisher is falling off the grid for the weekend and will be back Monday. With AAU basketball tournaments for Mulkey 2019 hopeful, we have to work in little getaways here and there. This is a here. There may be another time or two that I do this during the summer but wanted you to know.

Also, we will not have a Blitz for the June 27 edition. We're going to have an ask SicEmSports segment. We did this before in February. So start thinking about those questions.




Haughton nearly finished

Say what you want about Waco Midway safety Kahlil Haughton, but you have to like his approach to his recruiting.



He set out on a plan to visit his apparent four finalists - Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Arkansas and Baylor - before he decides and is following through on it. If anything, that should tell you how driven and goal oriented he is.



Haughton visited Baylor Thursday morning and spent about two hours with assistant head coach Brian Norwood. Of course, this was the latest of at least six known visits (not including 2013 football games) where Haughton was on campus. He went to the June 1 and 8 camps, March 22 scrimmage and April 5 controlled scrimmage. Haughton also attended the Jan. 26 junior day. Baylor has made it clear to Haughton that he's one of the priorities for the 2015 class.



"I just chilled with coach Norwood and watched film,'' Haughton said. "He showed me what my role would be in the defense.''



Haughton is taking an all-day trip to Fayetteville, AR on Friday to visit the University of Arkansas. He visited Texas Tech last week and Oklahoma on June 7. Haughton does not have a date of when he will announce but said he hopes to have a decision in early July.



Baylor seems to be the team to beat in this race. However, Oklahoma is thought to be the strongest competitor.

-Kevin Lonnquist



Williams has upside

Plano Prestonwood 2016 LB Deonte Williams recent Baylor offer culminated a two-year analysis. Williams performed well enough in front of the Baylor coaches at the June 6 Lake Highlands camp that a few days later, Baylor extended.



Of course, you wouldn't know if you talked to him about it. He was nonchalant about both the camp performance and the offer, Prestonwood coach Chris Cunningham said.



Williams (6-2, 215), the son of former Florida State safety Alphonso Williams, has been a two-year starter for the Lions and become a playmaker ever since. In Prestonwood's 3-4 alignment, he mainly plays outside linebacker. But he's asked to cover a lot of ground in run support, pass coverage and applying pressure on the quarterback.



"[Gush] has been coming to our practices for a long time, and he spotted him right away his freshman year,'' Cunningham said. "When he did, he told me he was going to keep an eye on him. The offer really shows that they think of him the way we think of him.''



Cunningham describes Williams as a physical player who is very quick off the edge. He consistently runs his 40 in the 4.6 range. By the time he leaves high school, he could weigh 230.



Williams' offer parade is only starting. He also picked up one from TCU and has been gaining interest from Texas Tech and Oklahoma State.



Athleticism just pours out of him. He has been playing some receiver and running back for Prestonwood for the 7-on-7 season and probably could be a true two-way player if Cunningham really wanted that.



"If we ran an I-formation, he'd be my ball carrier,'' Cunningham said.



Since Baylor runs a 4-2-5, Williams frame could take him anywhere. Of course, he has to commit to Baylor first. There is talk of him coming to Baylor for the July 18 camp on campus.



"Deonte is a guy who has the size to hold up but can run as well,'' Cunningham said. "And Deonte can run.''

-Kevin Lonnquist





A 2017 RB to watch

Abilene 2017 running back Abram Smith isn't small. He came to the June 8 came in Waco and stood out.



"He really did well and the Baylor coaches were very impressed with him,'' Abilene coach Steve Warren said. "He made a good showing.''



While there are 2017 offers being extended, Baylor appears to not be in a rush here. For one, Smith just made his mark for the Eagles toward the end of the 2013 season. It was quite the debut.



He scored seven touchdowns in the final two games. That could spoil a coach.



"I'm going to give him the chance to do that,'' Warren said with a laugh. "He's got very quick feet but will run right over you too. That's a good combination.''



Smith's game is just evolving. But he's showing that he may be a receiving threat. Of his touchdowns, two were receiving.



Expect some visits out to West Texas during the upcoming football season.

-Kevin Lonnquist





Carroll DB eyes Baylor offer

He's getting to know Baylor probably as well as any 2016 recruit is. Now, all Southlake Carroll safety Obi Eboh (6-1, 175) would like is an offer from the Bears.



Eboh attended the March 22 junior day and went to the June 6 camp at Lake Highlands and struck a bond with defensive backs coach Carlton Buckels.



"We did a lot of press coverage, and he worked with my feet,'' Eboh said. "That's what I really took away from it was how he worked with me to keep my feet square. That made a difference in the one on one drills.''



Eboh started for Carroll as a sophomore and had his share of good and bad moments. Most young defensive backs go through a feast or famine period. But Eboh will now be counted on to be one of the leaders of the Carroll defense this fall.



Rice became the first school to offer him earlier this week. The Big 12 schools are lurking. Baylor, Texas Tech, TCU and Oklahoma State are the ones showing early interest. Texas and Oklahoma are just now finding out about him.



Eboh is now fitting the trend of defensive backs who have length to go along with their pass coverage skills. If Baylor is ever going to offer, the first opportunity might be at its final camp on July 18 in Waco. Eboh plans to attend it.



"It would mean a lot to get an offer from Baylor,'' Eboh said. "When you get to know them, they're like family. I'm pretty comfortable around them.''

-Kevin Lonnquist





Offer surprises Florida CB
He didn't know a whole lot about Baylor. He didn't even know he was on their radar. So it really stunned Aaron Covington when the Baylor staff told his coaches at Seffner (Fla.) Armwood that Baylor had extended an offer.

"That had me really excited," Covington told me this week. "That's my top school right now out of all the schools I got. I was hyped up about that one. I had no clue at all they were going to offer. I've been balling lately, and my coaches have been getting my name out there on the map. I guess Baylor noticed."

A few Florida schools have offered the 5-9, 177-pound cornerback so far. Baylor joins Temple and Cincinnati as out-of-state programs to offer. That Covington plans to attend a camp at Oregon State this summer shows he's fine leaving his area to play college football.

"My family said 100 percent whatever my heart is, that's where I should go," he said. "They want me to make the best decision for myself."

Covington said he "definitely" plans to visit Baylor but doesn't have a date yet. I'll be in touch in case one materializes.
-Jake Shaw





Emptying the Notebook

>It's really hard to say what's going on with Cy Falls DB John Humphrey right now. After some more investigating, it's really unclear if his "Big Announcement" tweet was referring to his decision or someone else's. As he shared with our Jake Shaw earlier this week, he said he will continue to talk things over with his family to see what he wants to do ? stay with Baylor or consider a switch to Oklahoma. Then, there's a part of me who is starting to think, "Is this much ado about nothing?"


>At this point, it does look like Baylor is out of it for Ennis DE James Lockhart. He recently told our Alabama colleagues that it's "neck and neck" between Alabama and Texas A&M. Having said that, he does have a history of lining his comments toward whichever site he is talking with.


>And then there was this tweet from Mesquite Poteet LB Malik Jefferson: "Ima be honest I don't care what conference I play, that doesn't affect my decision, I want the right fit to make me a man and baller." He could be a lean toward Texas A&M but he has said he wants to visit Waco.


>Baylor junior center fielder Logan Brown was named to the 2014 Rawlings/ABCA Division I Gold Glove team, the American Baseball Coaches Association Announced earlier this week. Brown is the first player in program history to win such an award. Catcher Kelly Shoppach (1999-2001) earned a similar honor when he was named Easton Defensive Player of the Year in 2001.


>We talked to three independent basketball recruiting analysts who maintained Baylor is the favorite to land both Plano West center Tyler Davis and forward D.J. Hogg. Remember those two played pickup with the team earlier this week. That activity is allowable.

-SicEmSports

Hasty ready for Oregon

When he got the news Wednesday that was heading to The Opening, Longview running back JaMaycal Hasty expressed both satisfaction and relief. With the event less than one month away, it wasn't clear if he was going to get his chance.

Hasty became the 149th invitee, who will be heading to Beaverton, OR in a few weeks to participate in the competition that runs July 5-9.

"I was excited, something I always wanted to participate in,'' Hasty said. "I knew the window was becoming slim.''

Hasty is Baylor's first commit to compete in the competition since Corey Coleman in 2012. The 5-8, 183-pound all-purpose back is rated No. 210 in the Rivals 250. This is a competition where one on one strength, agility, speed and quickness will be measured.

Winning is the goal. However, every athlete will express the gratification of competing as the best form of flattery. There's really not much Hasty can do to prepare for it except to just stick to his daily training regimen.

"I just want to showcase all of my skills as an athlete and show that I deserve to be there,'' he said. "Every athlete wants nothing but the best competition.''

Still, this is just another step on the journey before Feb. 4, 2015 when Hasty is expected to sign with Baylor. That's the ultimate prize. Going to Oregon in July provides a chance to be noticed on a national level.

"I'm just proud of myself and blessed to be in this situation,'' Hasty said. "The Opening means a lot but not as much as a D1 scholarship. My education is paid for and that's a lot of stress and heartache off myself and my parents. Nothing can top that.''

-Kevin Lonnquist




Viva la France, Vital

Baylor 2016 commit, guard Mark Vital relocated from Lake Charles, LA to Dallas about two months and will be competing at Prime Prep Academy for the next two years. He's living with his coach Hellion "Boogie" Knight. Vital is currently playing the Southern Elite Family 17U team.

On Thursday, he traveled to Waco for an unofficial visit to Baylor before he heads off to France. On Friday, Vital travels with the USA Elite 20U team for a 7-game, 9-day visit to Paris and surrounding parts. But there won't be a lot of sightseeing. He'll see more gyms than the Eiffel Tower.

"It's a great opportunity for him to play in something like this,'' Knight said. "This is just another chance for him to play against great competition and just keep working on all of the little things like his shooting and ball handling. His game is really growing.''

Vital committed to Baylor on Sept. 3, 2013 and has maintained a strong relationship with the Bears coaching staff. His 6-5 frame and wingspan can ultimately lead to him becoming a true inside-outside type of wing. He's coming off a very solid performance at the Pangos All-American camp last week in Long Beach, CA.

"He's just taking the momentum he had out there and trying to keep it going,'' Knight said. "He's been really fun to watch. And he'll get better.''

-Kevin Lonnquist




Other basketball tidbits

>As we mentioned Texas Select 2016 guard D.J. White (6-5) from Baton Rouge (LA) University and 2016 forward Amari McCrary from Ruston had what was described as very successful unofficial visits. Baylor did not offer either but given the way things went, it seems more of a matter of when the coaching staff will extend.

>Plano Prestonwood center Schnider Herard's guardian Derrick Shelby said he has been in contact with the Baylor coaches about setting up a visit sometime soon. The 6-10 Herard is spending this weekend at the Nike 100 in St. Louis. Baylor hasn't offered yet, but you would have to presume that once the visit is scheduled and should it go well, then an offer will come. We'll keep you posted.

>Baylor is also interested in 2017 guard Cedric Russell (6-2, 170), who plays for the Southern Elite Family 15U team. The staff and would also like to get him on campus for a visit, Knight said. There's also interest from LSU and Vanderbilt on the native of Alexandria, LA.

-Kevin Lonnquist



2016 DE talks offer

Houston MacArthur 2016 strongside defensive end Isaiah Chambers had a pretty solid offer list going before Baylor jumped into his recruiting.

He held those from Oklahoma, Arkansas and Arizona State among others. Still, when Baylor assistant coach Carlton Buckels extended the offer last week, it wasn't something Chambers was expecting.

"[Buckels] told my coach and it caught me by surprise,'' he said. "But I'm trying to treat all of the offers just the same. I know my recruiting is just getting started, so I want to appreciate where I'm at and what it all means.''

Chambers (6-4, 245) offers a wingspan that's probably as long as his height. He really hasn't measured it but thinks it is close to that. He also believes that it will continue to extend. That's why schools are interested. When a defensive end can create that kind of problem for quarterback trying to throw through windows, it gets more and more intriguing.

The goal in 2014 is for Chambers to play on both strong side and weak side. That kind of rotation can only help his game. As for visiting Baylor, there's a chance he will visit on the Bears' July 18 camp.

"It's a little overwhelming right now,'' he said. "But I just have to stay focused on playing. I still have some time to figure this out.''

-Kevin Lonnquist




Jared Mayden update

Sachse defensive back Jared Mayden values the relationship he has with his position coach. So when he attended Baylor's camp on June 6 in Lake Highlands, he worked with Baylor defensive backs coach Carlton Buckels.

Mayden (6-0, 187) already holds 20 offers. But Baylor was his first. Hence, that's why he appeared at Lake Highlands.

"Baylor definitely helped itself,'' Mayden said. "The way the coaches were instructing and the drills they were doing were really suitable to the things I do. You always want the chance to get better.''

But the occasional one-on-one connection with Buckels seemed to take that a step further. Mayden said he liked the way he interacted with the Bears defensive backs coach throughout the evening.

"It was great working with him,'' Mayden said. "He has a style of talking you and helping that I like. It fits me.''

Mayden said he's nowhere close to making any kind of decision when it comes to narrowing lists or any kind of commitment decision. If he visits Baylor, he said it likely will be when the Bears open McLane Stadium on Aug. 31 against SMU.

-Kevin Lonnquist




Johnson trying to remain patient

Standing 6-5, weighing 308 pounds -- both numbers officially measured at a combine -- and running a reported sub-5.0 in the 40, it's hard to believe 2015 Garland Lakeview Centennial DT Jordyn Johnson doesn't have at least one offer yet. Just ask him.


"I feel disrespected that I don't have any offers," Johnson told me. "There are guys I know that I'm better than that have offers."


Johnson is making the rounds on the camp circuit, trying to impress recruiters and sway them into an offer. He went to one of Baylor's camps last weekend and felt good about his performance. Baylor DL coach Chris Achuff has been by Centennial to evaluate Johnson.


"They came to my school and they said they came just for me," he said. "They said they're looking for another d-linemen in this class. I told the coach I can be their guy."


Johnson's a guy to keep an eye on. He obviously has the measurables, but no program is yet to pull the trigger. I'll keep in touch with him in case that changes.

-Jake Shaw




Coppell OL and option

Baylor likely has one more offensive line spot for its 2015 class. Coppell 2015 offensive tackle Connor Williams (6-5, 271) has 26 offers to this point. And while Baylor may be a little late joining this recruitment, the Bears are no means really behind.

Williams said he has been talking with offensive line coach Randy Clements. The two sides appear to be off to a good start. That started when Clements made the on-campus evaluation back in May and offered.

"He just visited and liked what he saw,'' Williams said. "I know he wants me as a tackle like most of the other schools. Baylor is a great school but I want to learn more about them.''

-Kevin Lonnquist



Emptying the notebook

>Mesquite Poteet 2015 LB Malik Jefferson, rated No. 19 in the Rivals 100, told Rivals that he does plan to take an unofficial visit to Baylor this summer. He also has plans to visit UCLA and USC.


>In case you had not figured it out yet, you can pretty much cross Aledo ath Ryan Newsome[/URL] off the list for Baylor. There really has not been a lot of contact between the two sides in several weeks.

>With Cedar Hill LB DaMarkus Lodge, ranked No. 39 in the Rivals 100, set to announce next Thursday, there is the thinking that the two could commit to the same school. But that's not a definite. Lodge seems like he is going SEC with Texas A&M, LSU and Ole Miss. As for Moore, it looks like this is a race between Baylor, Texas A&M, Iowa and TCU according to one person familiar with this race. The Horned Frogs appear to be making a late charge. Although you get the feeling Baylor's position has changed (not for the better), you never know what the next week will bring. Remember, Baylor was the first school to offer Moore. Sometimes, that matters to recruits.


>Former Bear great 1B Max Muncy, who is with Oakland's AA team in Midland has been named to the Texas League All-Star game next month in Little Rock. Muncy is currently hitting .278 with 3 HR and 28 RBIs.


>With Baylor pretty tight at defensive line (end or tackle it really doesn't matter), Canton 2015 DE Sam Miller said he will remain in contact with the Baylor coaching staff. Now, he doesn't have a Baylor offer. And it's a pretty good bet that the odds are long that he will get one. Still, things can change and that's why Baylor likely will not close this door. Miller (6-4, 220) has 10 D1 offers, most notably from Kansas State and Oregon State.


>Expect the playing surface at McLane Stadium to be installed within the next 10-12 days, the Baylor sports information office tweeted.


>Ground breaking for the Beaumont Athletic Nutrition Center (BANC) should occur something this fall. The $6 million complex will sit in front of the Simpson Center and the Allison Indoor Practice Facility.


>As the NBA draft approaches Cory Jefferson is expected to work out for the Charlotte Bobcats on Friday. The draft is slated for June 26.

-SicEmSports

NOTE: With the Memorial Day Weekend approaching and people doing their thing (along with yours truly having some late Thursday/early Friday deadlines for another walk of life), we thought it would be a good thing to spread out the blitz during the week and make them into mini blitzes.



Wheeler still high on Baylor

It's been awhile since we touched base with the Rivals No. 216 prospect. However, we had a chance to do so earlier in the week.




First of all, the Dallas Skyline linebacker said he is in no hurry to make a commitment decision. He's also balancing a work schedule amid all of this attention and spring football. Wheeler said he plans on visiting Waco sometime during the summer.




That could be as early as the June 1 camp in Waco. He could also make an appearance at the June 6 camp at Lake Highlands.




"I'm still considering them strongly,'' Wheeler said.




In case you missed it, it's been awhile since Wheeler (6-2, 216) released his Top 10 schools. In no particular order, they are:

1. Baylor

2. Texas

3. Oklahoma

4. Texas A&M

5. Alabama

6. LSU

7. Stanford

8. Notre Dame

9. Ohio State

10. Florida State

-Kevin Lonnquist






About Ennis DE James Lockhart

We also checked in with the Rivals No. 145 prospect. Like several of these highly sought recruits, Lockhart said he is in no hurry to make a decision.




He has unofficial visits planned for Baylor, Alabama, Texas A&M and perhaps Florida State, Arkansas and Texas Tech. Lockhart said his position on Baylor hasn't changed and has a good relationship with the coaching staff.




His last visit with them was last week. At this point, this is a process that Baylor is just going to have to go through and obviously, be willing to do it.




Baylor coaches Jim Gush and Jeff Lebby should be at the Ennis spring game on Tuesday at Ennis Stadium.

-Kevin Lonnquist






Baylor visiting Tarrant County

Running backs coach Jeff Lebby was in greater Fort Worth on Tuesday looking at a few prospects that are either considered under the radar or about to erupt in terms of their potential.


Under the radar

White Settlement Brewer athlete Chris Gibson (6-0, 200). We talked about him in a Blitz back in November. But he's a recruit that is only now starting to gain some attention. The problem is that Brewer has not had a history of producing athletes so not many schools have taken notice.




He went to a Baylor camp last and said he plans to attend one on June 1. For now, Gibson has an offer from Illinois State.


About to blow up

Go to Trophy Club Byron Nelson and that program has three 2016 prospects who may be on the verge of collecting offers.




It starts with Carrollton Newman Smith transfer and athlete Brandon Bowen (6-4, 210), linebacker Akel Beard (6-1, 220) and defensive end/tight end Kellen Diesch (6-6, 250).




Nelson coach Brian Polk said Lebby invited all three to come to the June 1 camp in Waco. Let's start with Bowen who is considered versatile at several positions. He's going to be playing wide receiver. Polk said Bowen's biggest asset is his hands.




For Beard, he's considered a pretty physical player but is raw. If he performs well at several camps, offers may follow. Diesch is a big target and will be playing on both sides of the ball for the Bobcats.




And his projected position in college is really also either side. Offensively, he's a matchup problem. Defensively, his size will be a challenge for quarterbacks to deliver the ball through windows.




"Baylor, Texas, A&M and Oklahoma have all been through here,'' Polk said. "They really are taking a hard look at these guys.''

-Kevin Lonnquist





Baylor checks in on DISD

Dallas Lincoln 2015 DB/WR Cristian Williams (6-0, 165) is new prospect to take a look at. He just picked up his first offer from SMU the other day. However, Baylor assistant Brian Norwood stopped by on Tuesday to visit with Williams.




Williams said it was his first visit with Norwood so he doesn't know too much about the Bears just yet. However, he said he hopes to attend the June 6 camp at Lake Highland. Baylor has not offered him.




Also, Kimball 2016 DE Demerick Gary (6-3, 250) plans to attend Baylor's June 8 camp in Waco. He has been in touch with Norwood. Baylor has not offered. This would be Gary's first visit to Baylor.


Pay close attention to Dallas Skyline 2016 RB Da'Leon Ward. He just picked up his first offer from Louisville on Wednesday. Skyline coaches tell us films are going out and Baylor should be receiving Ward's film very soon.


-Kevin Lonnquist






Baseball vs. TCU

Baylor's only chance to advance to the NCAA tournament has to be winning the Big 12 tournament. That starts today with rematch with TCU at 12:30 p.m. at Oklahoma City's Bricktown Ballpark.




The game will be carried on TV by Fox College Sports. Dillon Newman (5-3, 3.42 ERA) will get the start.




The winner of Wednesday's contest goes on to face the winner of No. 3 Kansas vs. No. 6 West Virginia on Thursday at 4 p.m. The loser faces the loser of the KU-WVU game on Thursday at 9 a.m.




Baylor baseball had a trio of players earn All-Big 12 honors for the first time, the league announced Tuesday. Record-setting closer Josh Michalec earned a first team nod, outfielder Adam Toth was an honorable mention and left-handed pitcher Daniel Castano was an All-Freshman Team choice.

-SicEmSports


In the spirit of Kevin's mini Baylor blitz, here are a couple more recruiting stories/nuggets.



Baylor finally makes the call


High school kids don't mind missing a little class -- especially if it's for the reason 2015 Alvin Manvel DB Deontay Anderson was pulled out of class on Wednesday afternoon.



"It happened around 3:15 (Wednesday)," Anderson said of getting an offer from Baylor. "Coach told me to call the Baylor coach and I did, and he offered then."



Anderson's recruitment is surging right now. Notre Dame also offered him the same day as Baylor. Since he's only headed into his junior season, he's not in a hurry to make a decision.



"I want to commit before my senior year, but i'm not trying to rush it," he said.



Baylor will have a fight on its hands, but with an offer on the table, the Bears are at least on his radar.



"I've actually been waiting for the Baylor offer," he said. "I know that they're getting way better and the program is growing. They're in the right place. They have a bright future."



Baylor interested in the next Detmer


His father played at Colorado, his uncle at BYU, and his grandfather has coached all over the map. Could the next Detmer end up in Waco?



That chance is growing. Koy Detmer Jr., the son of the former Colorado star quarterback who had a long career as an NFL backup, has attracted some Baylor interest in recent weeks. I caught up with him last night to get the scoop.



"This past summer I went to a camp and the quarterback coach, he seemed like he had a little interest," Detmer said of . "I hadn't heard anything after that.



"Two weeks ago, during our athletic period, (Baylor assistant coach Chris) Achuff came by and said that they are looking for a quarterback in the 2015 class, and he said they are interested. He watched our practice and said the quarterback coach will come down and watch me throw. He told me to go to camps and stuff, so that's the biggest interest that I've heard and seen from them."



(First off, interesting words from Achuff. It's now plainly obvious Baylor wants another quarterback in this current class to go with President/Lynch.) As for Detmer, he said he already had a favorable opinion of the Bears, but their Big 12 title run changed things.



"They were a solid team, but after this past year, I really like them," he said. "They run a good offense and pick up the tempo. They score a lot of points and throw the ball a lot. What more could I ask for?"



Detmer is still waiting on his first offer, but BYU, Houston and Texas are among the programs who, like Baylor, plan to come back to small-town Somerset to watch Detmer in action. He plans to head to Waco July 18 for a Baylor camp. He knows he needs to impress then -- and during his senior season -- to start converting interest into offers.

NOTE: Rivals will soon be releasing its latest set of rankings next week. While it's unknown how the nine Baylor commits will be impacted between ratings and ranking, one thing that will be interested is if players will shift positions or not. The candidates would be Troup Ath Blake Lynch, Temple QB Chad President and Longview RB JaMycal Hasty.



Tolbert's place was secure

When the news broke about Fort Bend Ridge Point DB Jordan Tolbert tearing his right ACL, the concerns were running if Baylor was going to back off of the commitment.




That was never the case. In fact, we learned the Baylor coaching staff knew that Tolbert suffered the injury last week before he committed. Tolbert is expected to miss the 2014 season. In fact, there was never a major concern.




Plus, Baylor's history of sticking with players who have injuries is vast. The staff has stood with Temple QB Chad President since he tore his ACL last September ? President has since fully recovered ? and with Troup ath Blake Lynch who missed the last half of the 2014 season with a severe arm injury.




Tolbert suffered the injury as he was trying to make a tackle during a practice. He planted his right leg and tried to turn to move with the play. However, the leg didn't.




"[I was concerned] because I was going to be committing to them this weekend,'' Tolbert said.




That's partly the reason why Tolbert decided to commit a week early. Tolbert is scheduled to visit Waco this weekend. As it turned out, he had nothing to worry about.

-SicEmSports



Dyer taking his time

Mesquite Horn offensive lineman Conner Dyer (6-5, 275) is already in high demand. Already holding a Baylor offer among many, the Rivals No. 136 prospect just picked up Ole Miss and Tennessee this week.




But he still thinks back to the conversation he had with Baylor offensive line coach Randy Clements at the March 22 junior day.




"Everyone is just looking at me to play tackle but coach Clements talked about playing center,'' Dyer said. "I'm willing to try anything. It doesn't matter to me.''




Dyer plans on using the summer to visit as many schools as he can. After that, he wants to narrow the list of finalists to a reasonable number. The only caveat to the Baylor angle is that Dyer said he has not spoken to or seen anyone from the Baylor staff since late April.




Of course, Baylor has two offensive linemen in the 2015 class in Plano's Sam Tecklenburg and Navarro's Mo Porter. At this point, Baylor is probably looking at taking one or two more offensive linemen.

-Kevin Lonnquist





QB interested in Baylor

While Shreveport Calvary 2016 QB Shea Patterson has been committed to Arizona since December of 2012, that hasn't his stopped him from evaluating his options.




Patterson had no contact with Baylor until coach Randy Clements came over to Shreveport last week. Less than a week later, the dual-threat signal caller had a Baylor offer.




"[Clements] just told me he liked my film as he went over with the offensive coaches and that I would have a good feel of their offense,'' Patterson said. "I haven't been to Baylor but it's a great school academically and you see their atmosphere for games is great.''




Patterson ended up in Louisiana through his father's work. Originally from Toledo, the family moved to McAllen before a transfer moved them to Louisiana. At 6-2, 190, he's become pretty comfortable throwing from the pocket but isn't bashful tucking it in and running.




Baylor's offense is attracting quarterbacks outside of Texas. Look no further than Maryland's Kai Locksley.




Patterson has two summer chances with Baylor. He could attend the June 7 camp in Marshall or make arrangements to make the drive to Waco when it works.




"I'm open to anything,'' Patterson said. "It would be good to compare other schools to Arizona. It's a great opportunity. When I saw coach Clements, I felt like I had to have a good practice.''




Patterson led the Cavaliers to the 2013 Louisiana Division II state championship. The then-sophomore completed nearly 62 percent of his throws for 2,655 yards and 24 TD. He surrendered only four interceptions. He also rushed for 241 yards and 12 scores. But his career has been exceptional throwing for 4,478 yards and 54 TDs and rushing for 895 yards and 21 TDs.




"The big thing is being able to get out and extend plays,'' Patterson said. "I need to be accurate with the ball, but I trust my line to where I can move in the pocket, step up and make the throw I need to make.''


-Kevin Lonnquist



Staff visits, offers McKinney North DE
The spring evaluation period has become just as much about scouting future recruits as it is prospects in the upcoming class. The Baylor staff has started to increase its offers to 2016 recruits -- juniors-to-be this fall -- and the latest is McKinney North DE Justin Madubuike.

"They came by during spring practice," the 6-3, 245-pound prospect said. "The next day they told my coach to call them, so they put me on the phone and they offered me a full ride."

That Madubuike had a good practice the day the staff came by was no coincidence.

"When I was told Baylor was going to be there I knew I had to show out," he said.

Madubuike hasn't been down to Baylor since he was an eight grader. Back then, he played on a youth football team that had a game at Floyd Casey Stadium. He knows of that former stadium's fate. "I heard they have a nice new stadium coming up," he said.

With offers from Baylor, Tulsa and Ole Miss -- and interest coming in from the state's top programs -- Madubuike said he's more focused on school and getting better as a football player than he is recruiting. But he's definitely a guy to keep on the radar. Baylor has only offered four 2016 defensive linemen, so it's obvious the staff thinks highly of him.

"I'm pretty blessed to have these offers," he said. "I'm thankful and working all the time with my teammates to help them get offers and be the best they can be."

-Jake Shaw



Campbell's road back

When the coaching change at Texas occurred, Corpus Christi Flour Bluff's Jalen Campbell soon found himself as a recruit without a commitment. He then had the double whammy where he missed the 2013 season with a torn left ACL.




Campbell committed to Texas under Mack Brown when he was a sophomore. When other schools visited the school, he told them no thanks. Even with the injury (he suffered it in the spring of 2013), he still had nothing to worry about.




By January, Brown was out, Charlie Strong was in, and Campbell had no prospects much less offers. That's why the 4-star defensive back's profile looks so unusual. It's only now that Campbell is trying to restore his athleticism and name within the Division I ranks.




Baylor assistant Brian Norwood visited Campbell last week and told Campbell he wants him to come to a July camp. There are no guarantees of an offer. Campbell knows that and is working his way toward proving coaches he can be the same dominating player he was in 2012.




"I got cleared Jan. 2 to go all out,'' he said. "I'm going to be starting at cornerback and wide receiver. I know I have a lot of work to show myself and teams that I haven't lost anything.''




Campbell went to Rivals camp series stops in DeSoto and Houston on March 8 & 9. He said the DeSoto camp didn't go well, but he said he fared better in Houston.




"I was just a step behind in [DeSoto],'' he said. "But in Houston I was better out of my break and getting on top of the rout. I've been doing everything. I'm cutting and running. It feels great.''




Campbell picked up a Texas State offer on Thursday but said his Top 5 are Baylor, Texas A&M, Oregon, TCU and Alabama in no order. He said Oregon, A&M and Alabama could be coming by next week.




Those workouts will be important but the summer camps he attends this summer could be very telling.

-Kevin Lonnquist





A little this and that

>Baylor may be poised to offer Fort Worth All Saints 2016 DT Michael Williams (6-2, 280) soon. RB coach Jeff Lebby made his second appearance of the week at a recent practice. Other Big 12 teams including Oklahoma State and Kansas State have offered the rising prospect.


>DB coach Carlton Buckels was at West Orange-Stark to not only continue to work on a time for soft Alabama DB commit Deionte Thompson (6-2, 174) to visit. However, he was also there to evaluate 2016 dual-threat QB Dillon Sterling-Cole. Sterling-Cole is considered a budding prospect but very raw. If he gets to a camp in June that will help as Baylor would be able to evaluate and work with him in person.


>Richardson Berkner DE Trevis Gipson (6-5, 200) has been invited to Baylor's camp at Lake Highlands on June 6. Hard to know where he stands as far as offers are concerned. Personally, a lot of things would have to break right for him to get one.




>Jake wrote earlier in the week about Port Arthur Memorial RB and Texas Tech commit Corey Dauphine looking at options. At this point, there seems to be a pretty good chance he'll camp in Waco.

-Kevin Lonnquist




Summer AAU hoops update

The EYBL continues its tour this weekend in Hampton, VA and plenty of Baylor 2015 and 2016 targets will be there.




Recent offer 2015 G Eric Davis of Saginaw, MI (AAU - The Family) will be there along with Houston 2016 G De'Aaroon Fox (AAU - Houston Hoops). Center Tyler Davis and Baylor commit King McClure from (AAU - Texas Titans) will also play. Baylor is still watching guard MaCio Teague from All Ohio Red.




One player to keep an eye on is 2017 6-6 F Hamier Wright should he be playing in this tournament. Michigan State, Cincinnati, Texas and SMU are among his early offers. We'll see how soon Baylor wants to move on him.




Meanwhile the UA Invitational is being held Friday-Sunday in The Woodlands.

-Kevin Lonnquist





Baseball: vs. TCU

The Bears seem to be getting hot at the right time. In Thursday's 6-3 victory over No. 13 TCU, the Bears (24-27, 8-13 in Big 12) used a 3-run second and 3-run fourth. Aaron Dodson belted a 3-run home run. Closer Josh Michalec earned his 20th save of the season, tying the Big 12 single-season record set by Oklahoma State's Jeff Bajenaru in 2000.




TCU (36-15, 15-7) is fighting for the Big 12 championship with Oklahoma State. Friday's and Saturday's games at Baylor Ballpark are 6:30 p.m. starts.




On Friday, Baylor is scheduled to start left-hander Daniel Castano (5-3, 3.63 ER). It was unclear who would start Saturday's regular season finale.




Don't forget Jason Jennings will have his number retired before Saturday's game. The ceremony will start at 6:00 p.m. Jennings will also throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

-Kevin Lonnquist




Emptying the Notebook

>I know this note should be in this and that, but I wanted to put something in this weekly segment. Should Baltimore and 4-star QB Kai Locksley come to Texas this summer, we're hearing sometime in July. This is all subject to change.


>For those wondering about the social media surge regarding Baylor seeking another year of eligibility for G Brady Heslip, we can tell you that he has signed with an agent. Look for him to play overseas.


>The NBA draft combine is going on in Chicago this weekend. Baylor's Isaiah Austin and Cory Jefferson weighed in at 219.5 and 218.4 pounds respectively. NBA Draft Room projects each to be mid-second round picks. The site has Austin projected to go No. 45 to Atlanta and Jefferson to go No. 52 to Dallas. The draft is being held on June 26.


>While there really hasn't been much contact between Baylor and Fort Bend Marshall DB Kendall Sheffield, the Rivals No. 27 prospect said he is still considering the Bears.

-SicEmSports

NOTE: With the Texas state track & field meet taking place Friday and Saturday in Austin, there is a significant Baylor presence at this meet involving signees, committed prospects and those being pursued. As many of you know, the Baylor coaching staff is big on recruiting players with a strong track background.





Going for history

Chris Platt had to think for a moment. The last time he lost a race in a 400 event occurred in the regional meet in his sophomore year (2012). Since then, he's just been leaving the competition in the dust.

Now, he's chasing history.

On Friday at the Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Platt is looking to become one of the very few in the history of Texas high school track to win four state championships in the same sport. The Baylor 2014 signee out of Willis is the prohibitive favorite to do it.

"I'm not worried about history,'' Platt said. "I'm just focusing in on what I'm going for. It would be nice to finish with that accomplishment.''

While the time he takes to Austin isn't typically what he runs (47.60), there's a reason for that. Platt said he really wasn't pushed by the competition throughout the regular season and postseason. His personal record is the 46.64 he recorded when he won his third title in 2013.

Platt's love for the event started like a lot of track athlete's stories start. A coach threw him into the event in seventh grade. He loved it.

"It seemed to be made for my body type and strength,'' Platt said. "I managed to maintain speed for a long time.''

But he has the 400 to thank. The performances summoned attention and Division I football offers and why he was one of the first three to commit to Baylor back in February, 2013.

"It put my name out there and turned coaches heads,'' Platt said. "Then it got them to look at my film. I'm pretty blessed.''

-Kevin Lonnquist



100 will be a Bear

At about 7:00 p.m. Friday, the fastest Class 4A man in Texas should be know. And Baylor is right in the middle of having a vested interest in the outcome.

Mount Pleasant's and Baylor signee KD Cannon (10.37) is in the second lane because he was hundredths behind Willis' John Lewis. Aledo's Ryan Newsome (10.38), a Baylor offer, is in the third lane. Both bring personal record times into the event.

This is a rematch from 2013 when the two met and Newsome edge Cannon. They finished at the bottom of that race, but there's a chance those two could be leading at the tape. This could be one of the best events of the meet.

"You just have to relax and be calm,'' Newsome said. "If someone gets out fast, runners tend to panic. You can't do that. You have to stay with the game plan.''

Obviously, Baylor knows the game-changer it has in Cannon, the highest rated Baylor recruit in history at No. 34. Newsome has the same potential. The Baylor coaching staff is evaluating all of its options, just like Newsome is.

Cannon could not be reached for comment, but Newsome said he spent a lot of time trying to work his start in the first 10-15 meters to keep himself staying low. That brings less wind resistance.

What these two athletes show is how much of a valued commodity speed is and that Baylor will do what it can to possess as much as it can. Newsome is trying for two state championships. He already has one as Aledo claimed the Class 4A Division II state football title in December.

"I take the track mindset out to the football,'' he said. "You have to think no one can touch you.''

If the track and weather conditions are right, there's a chance the winner could break 10.30.

-Kevin Lonnquist



Zamora part of 'freak team' class

In two weeks, WR signee Ishmael Zamora will take his last final exam at Elsik High in Alief. He'll enroll at Baylor on May 30, come back to walk with his senior class on June 8, then head back to Waco for good.


But he has one final swan song before leaving his prep days behind.


"Of course everyone wants to win, so I'm going to the meet win in both events," said Zamora, who will compete in the 5A state finals in the 110-meter hurdles and the long jump. "I also want to set PRs in both."


A personal record in the hurdle event would like mean repeating as the gold medalist in the event. He also took second in the 300-meter hurdles, but he's replacing that event with the long jump this year. Between his events, he plans to catch up with his fellow 2014 Baylor signees that are competing this weekend.


"I've talked to KD, Chris and Jourdan [Blake]," he said. "We're just planning to have fun and do good and meet up somehow."


Zamora said it shouldn't be surprise Baylor has a large continent competing in Austin.


"I don't think it's a coincidence, but it's just the type of athlete we want in our program," he said. "Not just football players, but athletes. We want to be the freak team. We want that talent to stand out."

-Jake Shaw



Blackmar wants to rebound

Houston Clear Lake offensive lineman Black Blackmar admits that when he went into the Myers Stadium for the state track & field meet last year, he was a bit overwhelmed and let the crowd and other elements get to him.

That's why he struggled in both the shot put and the discus. Now, the Baylor 2014 signee gets another chance to better his performance in each this Saturday.

"I've had some ups and down, but I think I've finally got everything coming together at the right time,'' Blackmar said. "No matter what your seed is, anything can happen.''

His 56-9 in the shot is 7th best among all competitors and his 173-9 in the discus is also seventh. That means he has some work to do if he's going to have a change to get on the podium.

Blackmar said he's worked on his spin and finishing his footwork in the discus. He's also refining some little details in the shot.

He thinks state championship throws will be more than 60 in the shot and 180 in the discus. If he can get in that range, then Blackmar has a chance.

-Kevin Lonnquist



Other connections to state meet

A handful of other participants in the state track meet have Baylor connections. Two 2015 commitments, Devontre Stricklin and JaMycal Hasty, qualified for Waco Midway and Longview, respectively, both at the 5A level. Stricklin will compete in the high jump and is seeded fourth after jumping 47-06-00 at the regionals. Hasty's part of Longview's 4x200 relay team that's seeded ninth out of nine relay teams.


Two 2015 top targets will also be in Austin -- FB Marshall DB Kendall Sheffield, running the 4x100 in the 4A finals, and RB Corey Dauphine, who joins 2016 RB target Kameron Martin on Port Arthur Memorial's 4x100 relay team at the 5A level. Baylor also has interest in 2016 RB Bryson Denley, who will run in the 5A 100 meter finals, as well as on the Cibolo Steele 4x200 and 4x100 teams, both which are expected to medal.

-Jake Shaw


Wallace: A rising star

When Tristen Wallace visited Baylor's April 5 controlled scrimmage, all he did was study starting quarterback Bryce Petty. Wallace absorbed every move Petty made.

"He was amazing,'' the DeSoto 2016 quarterback said. "I loved the way he made decisions, his footwork and ball placement. He's so calm running the offense.''

Wallace (6-3, 225) finally gets the keys to the DeSoto offense this fall. He played backup quarterback to Desmon White (TCU) and threw for only 52 yards. A dual threat, he has the built that many Division I schools are attracted to. Nebraska and Indiana have already offered.

Baylor can take its time. Wallace met with offensive coordinator Phillip Montgomery last week. You can expect him to attend a Baylor camp(s) in early June.

"It was a great time getting to know him and what all Baylor has,'' Wallace said. "Baylor is the Big 12 champions. They know what they're doing. It's a great school to consider.''

Wallace is pretty much a newbie so he's taking every throw, every session with the coaching staff seriously. What's impressive is that he burns to get better.

He also understands there's a tradition to uphold. DeSoto has appeared in the Class 5A Division I state semifinals the last two years.

"I'm working on my decision making and just focusing on everything I'm doing,'' he said. "When I get the ball, I want to be a playmaker.''-Kevin Lonnquist




Basketball recruiting notables

>The EYBL event comes to North Texas this weekend in Frisco. There are plenty of Baylor targets playing. From the Texas Titans and Baylor commit King McClure (Triple A Academy), forward D.J. Hogg (Plano West) and center Tyler Davis (Plano West) will be there. Eric Davis from Saginaw, MI with The Family will also be there.


>Houston Hoops will also be in Frisco and features 2016 5-star point guard De'Aaron Fox (6-3, 170). Fox recently said that Baylor was among five schools heavily recruiting him along with Kansas State, Texas and SMU.

-Kevin Lonnquist



Emptying the Notebook

>The Baylor baseball team (22-27, 7-13 in the Big 12) has the weekend off before playing its final four games at Baylor Ballpark starting Wednesday against UT-San Antonio followed by a weekend series against TCU. The Bears have not clinched a berth in the Big 12 tournament yet. The way they could miss it is if they were swept by the Horned Frogs and the ninth-place Kansas State wins four of its last six league games against Oklahoma State and Texas.


>Baylor coaches are looking at Irving Cistercian RB/LB Dare Odeyingbo (6-2, 240). Baylor hasn't offered yet. However, he does hold offers from Wisconsin, Minnesota, New Mexico and Air Force. Most schools have different opinions of him. Wisconsin and Baylor like him as a LB. Minnesota offered him a RB.


>Rounds 2-3 of the NFL draft begin at 6:00 p.m. Friday. It appears the only sure thing from the 2013 Baylor NFL prospects is guard Cyril Richardson. Most projections have him going in the third round. Rounds 4-7 begin at 11:00 a.m. Saturday.

-SicEmSports